What type of flight is set up to move an aircraft from one station to another without passengers?

A flight designed specifically to move an aircraft from one location to another without carrying passengers is identified as a ferry flight. This type of operation is crucial for various logistical reasons, such as repositioning an aircraft for maintenance, taking an airplane to a location for a charter service, or moving it to a different base where it will be needed for scheduled flights.

Ferry flights are typically performed when an aircraft needs to be relocated due to operational needs rather than passenger demand. It is not a commercial flight open to the public, which differentiates it from charter flights that may involve renting the whole aircraft for a specific journey with passengers on board.

In contrast, charter flights are designed for specific groups and often operate with passengers; direct flights refer to routes with no layovers but can include passengers, and transfer flights commonly apply to passengers changing flights at a hub. Therefore, the designation of ferry flight clearly captures the purpose and context of the operation without passengers on board.