Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 22300
Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
About 7 miles prior to ZZZZZ Intersection on the RNAV arrival while level at 11;000 feet and slowing to 220 knots we were issued a traffic callout by Approach. They said we had company traffic at our 10 o'clock climbing out of 7;000 feet for 10;000 feet. We reported him in sight. We got one 'Traffic' TA on TCAS; followed shortly by a 'Climb' RA. My FO (First Officer) immediately disconnected the autopilot and initiated the climb. Passing through approximately 11;400 feet the TCAS reported clear of conflict. I advised ATC of the RA and our climb. (I don't believe that loss of separation occurred).  Once clear; ATC gave us descent clearance; and a frequency change.[This] was early enough in the Coronavirus days that we were still getting used to flying nearly empty airplanes. Open climb with 20 passengers in an empty Large Transport could well give a 4;000 FPM rate of climb approaching 10;000 feet. I myself have been using Vertical Speed in the last 2;000 prior to level off at 10;000 feet to avoid excessive rates of climb. Apparently; the pilot of the other aircraft did not use the same technique. TCAS had no idea he was still planning on leveling at 10;000 feet; and issued us an RA.I've been briefing my FO's on using Vertical Speed to alleviate excessive closure rates. I think that other pilots must be figuring it out and doing the same. I think it was self correcting as I haven't heard of others having the same experience as we did.
Air carrier Captain reported receiving a TCAS RA related to an abnormally high climb rate associated with very lightly loaded aircraft because of the COVID-19 pandemic.