Sky Advertising Made Legal in the UK After 60 Years

Advertising in the sky using smoke trails of aircraft has been legalized in the UK after 60 years and will debut on May 8.

“Should sky typing and sky writing become lawful, there is a potential commercial benefit to enable such services to be provided in the UK given its large population and significant aviation and advertising markets,” according to a document published by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The new rule legalises the “use of any aeroplane, whether flying on its own or with others, to form text or symbol, visible from the ground, through the release of smoke.”

The DfT estimates that re-introducing sky typing could raise £4 million ($4.9 million) in tax revenues over five years, whilst expanding the market for advertising and light aviation. Sky typing pilots from the UK presently deliver their services in the EU and China.

Smoke messages will be written using refined white mineral oil that is non-toxic and biodegradable, DfT noted, brushing aside fears over extra emissions.

Steve Double MP, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation (APPG-GA) that campaigned for the legalisation of sky typing said: “Sky typing will add another string to the bow of aerobatic teams, giving these businesses an additional valuable revenue stream. More money in the system can only add to the resilience of these teams, supporting the UK air show sector as a whole.”