Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway comes under environmental fire

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway comes under environmental fire as British Airways fly two EMPTY planes over 8,000 miles for the grand finale

ITV and British Airways have been embroiled in an environmental storm after flying empty planes across the Atlantic for the final of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.

As part of the show’s grand finale, which took place in Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, a number of lucky fans won free tickets to come along – being flown to the US from London Heathrow for the show.

But after the planeload of prizewinners, and the Geordie presenting duo, were dropped off in Florida, an empty BA passenger jet is said to have flown back empty the following day.

And with another empty jet making its way from London to pick up the guests and crew, the two trips will mean that over 8,000 miles have been travelled without any guests on board.

The move has caused controversy as both ITV and British Airways are vocal about their sustainability values and aims to lower environmental impact.

Storm: Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway has come under environmental fire as British Airways are flying two empty planes over 8,000 miles for the grand finale

With each flight between London and and Florida raking up 4,336 miles each journey, the four trips mean that British Airways flew over 17,000 miles for the show – with only two of the planes filled. 

Describing the move as a ‘PR disaster’, a source told The Sun: ‘While the planet is heating up, it’s incredible anyone would allow a huge plane to be flown empty across the Atlantic. It’s environmentally irresponsible.’

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Our partnership with British Airways Holidays covers the outbound and inbound flight that seats all our place on the plane winners and crew. 

‘ITV shows aims to achieve the highest standards of sustainability both on and off screen and our efforts have been recognised by achieving BAFTA’s ‘albert Certification’ standard which is the TV industry standard kitemark for sustainability in the UK and is a requirement for all ITV shows’.

MailOnline has reached out to British Airways for comment.

Emissions from aviation are a significant contributor to climate change, with the burning of fossil fuel from airplanes.

The British airline has plans to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and are said to have offered cargo space on the charter flights across the atlantic.

They told The Sun: ‘We purchased sustainable aviation fuel to mitigate the emissions associated with the charter flights operated as part of this trip.’ 

Stateside: As part of the show’s grand finale, which took place in Universal Orlando Resort in Florida , a number of lucky fans won free tickets to come along – being flown to the US from London Heathrow for the show

On board: But after the planeload of prizewinners, and the Geordie presenting duo, were dropped off in Florida, an empty BA passenger jet is said to have flown back empty the following day

Meanwhile, ITV claim to have strict sustainability policies in place too, aiming to be zero waste by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

The broadcaster also has a ‘commitment to embedding climate content on-screen’ across its programmes.

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway broadcast their final from Florida this week, with a group of lucky prize-winners there to celebrate with them.

Not only did they win flights to the final, but the fans also enjoyed a six night stay at Universal’s surf themed Endless Summer Resort – along with entry passes to the park.

Despite the controversy, fans appeared sad to see the weekend staple show coming to an end. 

Taking to Twitter during the live finale, fans of the show expressed their sadness, with one writing: ‘#SaturdayNightTakeaway sad its ending absolutely love the show and watching every Saturday!’

‘Gutted it’s the last episode of the series! #SaturdayNightTakeaway,’ wrote someone else, while another viewer posted: ‘Not ready for it to be the last one for another year #SaturdayNightTakeaway.’

Someone else posted: ‘The problem with watching literally any TV show is the fact that it has to end and eventually the last episode comes around quicker than any other.’

While another viewer tweeted: ‘Still can’t believe it’s the last episode of #saturdaynighttakeaway.’

Someone else wrote before the show began: ‘#SaturdayNightTakeaway on in a few hours it’s the last one though… sad times.’

Theme park: Not only did fans win flights to the final, but the fans also enjoyed a six night stay at Universal’s surf themed Endless Summer Resort – along with entry passes to the park

Rounding off: Despite the controversy, fans appeared sad to see the weekend staple show coming to an end during the final this weekend

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