There has been a massive drop in air traffic over Europe due to the virus lockdown.
A video clip that compares the airline operations on Sunday 31 March 2019 and Sunday 29 March 2020 is doing the rounds on social media.
While more than 3,000 flight operations took place on the said day of the previous year, only 350 happened on 29th of March this year.
And even though, the number of planes in the sky is drastically low, social media users argued on why they are still present in the air.
A user commented on Reddit: “I’m kind of surprised that it’s still so much.” Someone suggested that they might have been ‘ghost flights’ or cargo planes.
Another said: “Can confirm. Girlfriend is a flight attendant for a major US airline.
“She’s been working throughout this thing, but her flights have less than 10 people on them. She said airports are complete ghost towns.
“I was worried about her traveling at first until I realized that she comes into contact with less people these days when she works than I do when I go buy groceries.”
One person explained: “Airline companies had to keep planes flying on their regular lines even if they are empty or else they would lose flight slots and airports.”
Most of Europe is on lockdown to avoid the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
In an attempt to deter people from air travel, the UK government has advised them to fly only if it’s critically essential. The state has also asked its people to return home if they are abroad.
On March 29, EasyJet flew a final volunteer flight to bring back stranded British vacationers from Alicante.
The moment crew members wore their uniforms for the final time was captured and later shared on the internet.
A staff person said: “We’d just like to thank you for giving us the pleasure of flying you home today. It is a very emotional flight for all us crew who volunteered today.
“Not only just to get you home but because we really do enjoy our jobs and working for easyJet. Today, for all of us, is the last time for a while we will be wearing our uniforms.
“I’d just like to say thank you, you have been a great crowd to have onboard today and if I could ask you all to give yourselves, the crew and the flight desk one last clap and cheer.”
Replaced!