British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are to air a short film examining the benefits of aviation to local communities across the UK.
Entitled The Great British Flying Test, the film was shot in Carlisle, the UK town furthest away from a major international airport, and looks at the positive economic effects of aviation in the UK.
The film forms part of a campaign by the Aviation Foundation, an organisation established by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, BAA (now Heathrow Ltd) and Manchester Airports Group, which aims to promote “the vital economic and social impact of aviation to the UK”.
The film will be shown in five and 15-minute versions on “a wide range of selected routes” operated by both BA and Virgin.
Commenting on the film, executive director of the foundation Rob Gray said:
“The Great British Flying Test campaign has already shown politicians how aviation brings economic benefits to their doorsteps but the in-flight promotion of the film reaches significant new audiences.
“Today, we will also remind the Airports Commission that 170 organisations representing millions of employees in the UK have backed the Foundation’s campaign because a successful aviation industry is vital to their work at home and abroad.”
The campaign has also produced an infographic (see below) detailing several areas in which it says the UK benefits from aviation.
For more information visit greatbritishflyingtest.co.uk.
Report by Mark Caswell
