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Exploring controversial plans to change how we fly. Cheap flights have transformed our holidays, but can new technology reduce our environmental impact without prices increasing?

Holidays abroad are an essential part of life for many of us. Cheap flights have helped millions of us travel to the sun. But the planes we fly on emit huge amounts of greenhouse gases, so the aviation industry is developing new ideas to reduce emissions with technologies such as new fuels and battery-powered planes.

The 大象传媒's climate editor, Justin Rowlatt, presenter Michelle Ackerley and science reporter Fran Scott investigate if it's possible to keep flying abroad with new greener options. They find out if the government's plans are realistic, what the alternatives are to flying and if the changes will make flights more expensive.

Justin meets a high-tech company developing a futuristic-style aircraft powered by batteries. He investigates why the UK's leading air traffic control service provider is changing the routes we fly on and finds out if we should plant trees to offset the carbon dioxide from our flights.

Michelle goes behind the scenes at Gatwick Airport to see what they are doing to cut carbon emissions. She investigates the frustrations of people living near airports and asks if airport expansion should be allowed. Michelle also visits a seaside town to get an insight into the pros and cons of holidaying at home instead of flying abroad.

Fran discovers how new aviation fuels are being made at an oil refinery in Humberside. She gets to see the largest plane engine in the world at Rolls Royce's Derby factory and investigates the practicality of electric- and hydrogen-powered planes.

Release date:

57 minutes

On TV

Next Thursday 21:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Justin Rowlatt
Presenter Fran Scott
Presenter Michelle Ackerley
Executive Producer Andrew Shaw
Executive Producer Sam Bagnall
Director Christopher Hardy
Producer Balnek Sangra
Producer Soraya Spiers
Producer Michael Wood
Producer Chris Johnson
Editor Adam Richardson
Editor Phil Stopford
Editor Nick Arthur
Animator Kyli John
Production Manager Clare Moriarty
Production Company Attaboy TV Ltd

Broadcast

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