Isn't maintaining the slot more about making sure there's a plane in the right place at the right time if somebody wants to buy a ticket on a scheduled flight at the last minute? A bus wouldn't change route because it was empty. There might be somebody at the next stop.
A large airline could probably manage this better but if a smaller airline (city hoppers, especially) sacked off empty flights, they might not have the inventory or pilots to manage future legs.
I'm not arguing against action. The current situation is ludicrous.
A large airline could probably manage this better but if a smaller airline (city hoppers, especially) sacked off empty flights, they might not have the inventory or pilots to manage future legs.
I'm not arguing against action. The current situation is ludicrous.