A cornucopia of news, opinion, views, facts and quirky bits that need to be talked about. Join our community and join in the conversation on all matters aviation. The blog includes our weekly round-up of the bits of European aviation you may otherwise have missed – That Was The Week That Was
It has been fun pointing out our industry’s foibles and follies every weekend, but all good things, etc. So yes, the world’s longest, and longest running, professional suicide note is coming to an end. Barring outbreaks of even more stupid stupidity, this will be my last TWTWTW. Please note that I reserve my right to point out those outbreaks of particularly stupid stupidity in our industry, in the extremely unlikely event they come along. Still, you would not write them off. Have been known to happen.
I remain available to moderate and speak at conferences and so on, as well as teach and offer workshops and guidance. It goes without saying that the Aviation Intelligence Reporter will continue for those discerning enough to realise that there are just as many cheap laughs, and a few quite expensive ones, in the AIR, along with analysis you will simply not get elsewhere. We always welcome new subscribers.
For those of you not interested in sustaining original thinking and quirky outbreaks of humour, thanks for the support, as deafeningly silent as it usually was. For those that want to keep being both entertained and amused by someone that does not feel the need to be loved by those that do ridiculous things and then demand unquestioning fealty; that is not afraid to point out errors, and silliness; you know where to find me.
It seems right that in this, the last blog of the year, I end with a rendition of the song that opened the show from which I take the name, and the inspiration, for this blog – That Was The Week That Was – the world’s first TV political satire show.
Wishing you all the very best for Christmas.
That was the blog that was
Its over, let it go
We had weeks both fast and slow
But never once did we not know
That yes, it was the week that was
That was the blog that was
Its over, let it go
It started out quiet and ever so humble
But sometimes offended if pointing out fumbles
In that week, the week that was
That was the blog that was
Its over, let it go
And all we can do now is say
That that was the blog that was…
Adeiu
You have really got to admire the advertising departments of airlines. For a decade now, a decade! they have been rolling out advertisements that talk up their employers’ – or clients’ – attempts to sell an environmentally friendly sustainability story. All cuddly and nice, the airlines want you to fly sustainably.
As long ago as 2014 – remember 2014? – we met the word ‘greenwashing’ when Richard Branson – remember Richard Branson? – was taken to task for promising to deliver $3 billion to save the planet, and actually delivering $230 million. How exotic the neologism greenwashing seemed then. How trendy, how now, how hip, how fun. Whoops.
Since then, advertising standards regulators, environmentalists, courts – courts! – have consistently ruled against the sustainability claims airlines make. You would almost be tempted to see a pattern here. The most recent ruling was this week, the week that was. Air France, Etihad and Lufthansa were all ruled off-side by the UK Advertising Standards Authority. If you have to have a job, you might do worse than work for an organisation that regulates the standards of advertising. How hard can that be? Even pilots have to pay attention sometimes. So how egregious must the advertisements be to fall foul of the advertising industry’s standards?
Let’s not get into a complex semantic discussion about what words might actually work – angels on the head of a pin territory – instead, what the airlines should do is accept defeat gracefully by doing a Trump (yes, intended irony there). The airlines should double down. The advertising standards bodies want the truth. Can they handle the truth?
The airlines should give them the truth. It is time to change tack. Let’s tell it like it is:
Are we forcing you to fly?
If the world is burning up, it is not just Grandma you should rush to catch up with
What are you going to do – Swim?
Yeah, sure, emissions, but hey! Short break!
OK, we emit, but we get you there quite quickly
OK, we emit, but then again, so do you
Who does not like a holiday away from the usual rubbish?
What is the point of being in the world’s top 10% if you do not flaunt it?
Flying with us is soooo much more environmentally responsible than flying privately
See the world while you still can
This is an invitation to unleash your inner advertising executive. So, go for a four-hour lunch and when you get back to the office, give it a go. All suggestions very welcome.
