Comercial airlines: minimum # of passengers, why?

[retyred]

While looking at the stats on comercial airlines, I noticed a Minimum and Maximum # of passenger listing, what's the reason for the minimum number?



retyred in fla
“good night paul, wherever you are”
read the book

[Bunny]

1. Economics?

Gotta have a certain number of paying customers, or it ain't cost-efficient to run the flight?

[retyred]

2. Then why

on 9/11 did none of the plans meet this criteria?



retyred in fla
“good night paul, wherever you are”
read the book

[Coldgothicwoman]

3. Two reasons, I think

I think it has two reasons: One, that the cost of the jet fuel must be recouped by a bare minumum number of passengers or its prohibitive to fly, and two, something about the load distribution to keep the plane airworthy.

Please don't consider those definitive answers, though -- thats just my guess. :dunce:

[jmowreader]

4. Probably just economics

When they move planes from, say, phase maintenance to the local hub airport, they fly 'em without passengers.

However, if you need $15,000 in jet fuel and other expenses to fly the plane from airport A to airport B, you need to sell $15,000 worth of cargo capacity or passenger seats or you'd be better off setting the plane in a hangar with a tarp over it.