A new documentary, Cheap Flights: What They Really Mean for You, airing on BBC One on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 8.00 pm, explores the impact of air travel on the environment and the steps being taken to achieve more sustainable flying.
The UK government has set ambitious targets to reduce emissions and reach net-zero, and this film investigates the feasibility of these goals, specifically examining the aviation industry’s role. BBC’s Climate Editor, Justin Rowlatt, leads the investigation, questioning whether the UK is on the right path to attain its ‘Jet Zero‘ targets by 2050. He scrutinises the plans put forth by the government and the aviation industry, exploring whether these strategies will genuinely revolutionise air travel and the potential cost implications for travellers.
Presenter Michelle Ackerley looks into the challenge of balancing environmental responsibility with budget constraints, speaking to aviation leaders at Gatwick Airport to understand how decisions about sustainable air travel may affect holidaymakers’ choices and costs. With the future of flying in flux, the program also considers the rise of staycations as a potential alternative for cost-conscious travellers.
Additionally, science reporter Fran Scott explores the role of technology in addressing these challenges, investigating the potential for more efficient next-generation engines to mitigate the environmental impact of aviation.
Cheap Flights: What They Really Mean for You airs on BBC One on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 8.00 pm.
