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Although I'm unfamiliar with the details, the pilots need to continue flying to maintain their type ratings.

Perhaps Lufthansa/Brussels Airlines could have used single-engine propeller planes (think Cessna 172 or the many other aircraft in its class) to decrease the cost and environmental impact?

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Like how you are going to maintain your 737 or 320 rating flying a Cessna?

Besides, I suppose keeping a plane in storage and serviced while keeping your workforce certified and ready isn't that much cheaper than keeping all them somewhat flying.

If you mothball a plane for 2 years it requires a huge amount of work before it's qualified to fly again. Probably not higher cost than the total work of maintaining it in flying condition for those 2 years but the man-hours are a lot easier to manage when amortized over that period vs all at once.

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