London Mayor Sadiq Khan is under fire for striking a deal with United Airlines for his US trip last year, which critics say compromised his integrity and transparency. The deal involved promoting the airline in exchange for free business-class flights for him and his staff, as well as having the final say on the mayor’s materials.
The deal details
According to a Freedom of Information request, the deal between City Hall and United Airlines was signed in April 2023, a month before the mayor’s five-day trip to New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The agreement stated that the mayor would:
- Mention United Airlines in his social media posts and interviews
- Include the airline’s logo and name in his press releases and speeches
- Allow the airline to review and approve his materials before publication
- Provide feedback and testimonials to the airline after the trip
In return, the airline would provide free business-class flights for the mayor and eight of his officials, as well as economy-class flights for two deputy mayors. The only cost to the taxpayer was the taxes and fees of £2,802, while the ground transport cost £21,108.
The complaint and criticism
The deal sparked a complaint from Caroline Russell, a Green Party member of the London Assembly, who accused the mayor of selling his office and undermining his credibility.
She also questioned the mayor’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis, saying that he should have travelled by train or used a more environmentally friendly airline.
The deal also drew criticism from other sources, such as the Campaign for Better Transport, which said that the mayor should have set an example by reducing his carbon footprint. The TaxPayers’ Alliance, a pressure group, said that the deal was a waste of public money and resources, and that the mayor should have been more transparent about it.
The mayor’s defence
The mayor defended his deal with United Airlines, saying that it was a common practice and that it saved the taxpayer money. He said that his trip was meant to “bang the drum for London” and to boost tourism, trade and investment from the US. He also said that he followed the rules and regulations of City Hall and that he disclosed the deal in his annual report.
He also dismissed the criticism from the Green Party, saying that they were “playing politics” and that he was committed to making London a zero-carbon city by 2030.
The comparison with Boris Johnson
The mayor’s US trip was compared with the previous trip by his predecessor, Boris Johnson, in 2015. According to another Freedom of Information request, Mr Johnson’s trip cost the taxpayer nearly £40,000, including about £15,000 on flights. He was accompanied by 12 officials and visited Boston, New York and Washington DC.
However, Mr Johnson did not strike a deal with any airline, and he paid for his own flights. He also did not promote any specific company or brand during his trip, and he did not allow any external review or approval of his materials. He said that his trip was aimed at promoting London as a global city and a leader in innovation and creativity.
