A little controversy has erupted over the shooting of the new Air New Zealand safety video in Antarctica. Back in 1979, an Air New Zealand DC-10 on a sightseeing flight over the continent crashed with the loss of 257 lives.
Media report that some of the relatives of the victims are unhappy with the choice of the location. Others have no problem with the fact the video is being shot there.
Antarctica Safety Video Teaser
Air New Zealand are known around the world for their quirky and fun safety videos. From naked and body painted crew to stars of sport and television, they have it all. A teaser for the forthcoming Antarctica video is below, showing some of the difficulties shooting there.
It will be interesting to see what the airline does in this video. Usually they are able to twist the location or have a theme that makes it amusing so I am very curious to see what comes out of the shoot.
The Erebus Disaster
Sightseeing flights over Antarctica are available, with an Australian company chartering Qantas Boeing 747s for the work. What is not common knowledge is that Air New Zealand used to do the same until their accident.
Due to a navigation error and poor visibility, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 flew into Mount Erebus with the loss of everyone on board. This disaster was keenly felt in a nation of just over 3 million people at the time.
It is nearly 40 years since the disaster and it shows how much this affected New Zealand when the company still checks with the families after all this time. I have not come across this kind of thing before.
Overall Thoughts
Cheeky and interesting safety videos have become a unique selling point at Air New Zealand. The videos garner a large audience on YouTube, making people around the world familiar with the brand at a low cost.
Learning a bit more about the sensitivities in New Zealand over the Erebus accident was also enlightening. Hopefully the new video will gain the approval of the families of those lost.
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Featured image by John Taggart via Wikimedia Commons.
Image of DC-10 ZK-NZP by Steve Fitzgerald via Wikimedia Commons.
