Whale and dolphin charity forced to pull campaign following pressure from airports

In correspondence seen by TTG, Global told WDC: “The campaign is unable to proceed with current copy as the airports have the final say on artwork on their sites."

A Birmingham airport spokesperson told TTG: “Global operates the advertising sites for Birmingham airport and these sites are mainly used for commercial messaging. Each advertising site is measured to ensure it is appropriate to its audience.

"While Birmingham airport supports Whale and Dolphin Conservation’s intentions, we do not think it appropriate to dictate to airline passengers what they can and cannot do on their holidays."

Manchester airport and its owner Manchester Airports Group, which includes Stansted and East Midlands airports, declined to comment, saying it was a commercial matter. However, TTG understands such ads at Manchester have previously been refused because of perceived conflicts of interest.

Back in March, easyJet holidays said it would no longer offer zoos and marine parks as part of a wide-ranging new animal welfare policy. A fortnight later, Jet2holidays followed suit, leaving Tui alone among the UK’s three main operators continuing to sell attractions with captive cetaceans.

WDC claimed Tui’s size would have influenced Manchester’s stance, although there is no suggestion the operator was involved in the decision.

The charity also said its ads had been due to appear at Glasgow airport, but a spokesperson for the airport’s outgoing operator AGS insisted “no such campaign” ran at Glasgow “at any time” or had been due to run.

Robin Lett, WDC campaign coordinator, said the airport sector had proved itself out of touch with the rest of the industry. "The vast majority of airlines and tour operators now hold themselves to a higher standard on animal welfare and entertainment than the airports they operate from."

The Wiltshire-based charity estimates it lost a five-figure sum because of the aborted campaign. In place of the posters, it positioned a digital screen truck outside Bristol airport for four days highlighting the plight of captive whales and dolphins.

Tui continues to sell animal attractions, but has amended its policy. New guidelines say: “With the help of independent experts, we have developed new and stricter criteria for animal welfare based on the latest standards of the Marine Mammal Association, the accreditations of zoos worldwide (EAZA, ZAA, WAZA) and the latest scientific articles."

Tui said this ensured standards of nutrition, health, environment, behaviour and mental state.

However, the operator attracted protestors at WTM London earlier this month, when two members of Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) took to the stage during a sustainability panel featuring Peter Krueger, Tui’s chief strategy officer and chief executive of holiday experiences.