A ghost flight is a passenger plane flight with no passengers that departs and arrives at the same airport. These flights are also called "empty" or "positioning flights."

Ghost flights are flown for various reasons, including maintenance, repositioning, crew training, and cargo transport.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance such as inspections and repairs. Ghost flights are often flown to transport maintenance crews and equipment to and from the airports where the aircraft are based.

Repositioning

Airlines sometimes need to move their aircraft from one airport to another. This can be due to seasonal demand changes or other operational reasons. Ghost flights are used to reposition the aircraft to the needed location.

Crew training

Airlines need to train their pilots and other crew members on a regular basis. Ghost flights provide a safe and controlled environment for this training, as there are no passengers on board.

Cargo transport

In some cases, ghost flights may be used to transport cargo. This can be done when there are last-minute changes in cargo schedules or when the cargo is time-sensitive or hazardous.

Environmental impact

Ghost flights have come under scrutiny for their environmental impact. Empty planes use the same amount of fuel as full planes, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Some airlines have committed to reducing the number of ghost flights they operate, and some governments have introduced regulations to limit their use.