Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway under environmental fire for flying EMPTY planes to the US

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

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

But after the planeload of award winners and Geordie’s presenting duo were dropped off in Florida, an empty BA airliner would have flown back empty the next day.

And with another empty plane en route from London to pick up the guests and crew, the two journeys will mean more than 8,000 miles traveled with no guests on board.

The move has sparked controversy as both ITV and British Airways have spoken out about their sustainability values ​​and aim to reduce environmental impact.

With each flight between London and Florida taking 4,336 miles each trip, the four trips mean British Airways flew more than 17,000 miles for the show – with only two of the planes filled.

A source describes the move as a ‘PR disaster’ The sun“While the planet is warming, it’s unbelievable that anyone would allow a huge plane to fly empty across the Atlantic. It is ecologically irresponsible.’

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Our partnership with British Airways Holidays covers the outward and return flights that can accommodate all our winners and crew members.

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

MailOnline has contacted British Airways for comment.

Aviation emissions are a major contributor to climate change, with the combustion of fossil fuel from aircraft.

The British airline has plans to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and would have offered cargo space on its charter flights across the Atlantic.

They told The Sun: “We have purchased sustainable jet fuel to reduce the emissions associated with the charter flights operated as part of this journey.”

Meanwhile, ITV also claims to have a strict sustainability policy, aiming to have zero waste by 2030 and zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway aired their finale this week from Florida, with a group of lucky award winners there to celebrate with them.

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

Despite the controversy, fans seemed saddened to see the staple show come to an end over the weekend.

Fans of the show took to Twitter during the live finale to express their sadness, with one writing, “#SaturdayNightTakeaway sad it’s ending. Absolutely love the show and watch every Saturday!”

‘Get upset, it’s the last episode of the series! #SaturdayNightTakeaway,” someone else wrote, while another viewer posted, “Not ready to be the last #SaturdayNightTakeaway for another year.”

Someone else posted, “The problem with watching literally every TV show is the fact that it has to end and eventually the final episode comes sooner than any other.”

While another viewer tweeted, “Still can’t believe this is the last episode of #saturdaynighttakeaway.”

Someone else wrote before the show started: “#SaturdayNightTakeaway in a few hours, however, it will be the last… sad times.”