Banner towing operations recommence at Blackpool Airport following Etihad stadium incident

A banner-towing ban at Blackpool Airport that was put in place following an incident at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium has been lifted following an investigation.
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The ban was issued after a Cessna aircraft based at the airport was flown over during the Manchester City v. Burnley game on June 22 carrying a banner declaring “white lives matters Burnley”.

Blackpool Airport issued a statement the following day stating that all banner towing operations have been suspended.

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The airport has now lifted the ban following an investigation that found no crime had been committed. However the airport confirmed that all future banners must be approved by the management team before they can be flown.

The banner that was flown over the Etihad StadiumThe banner that was flown over the Etihad Stadium
The banner that was flown over the Etihad Stadium

Airport manager Stephen Smith said: “Further to the banner towing incident last month, the police carried out a full investigation and decided it was not a criminal offence.

“The ban on banner towing has now been lifted at Blackpool Airport, further to all health and safety checks, and advertising protocols being reviewed and more stringent measures introduced.

“The new protocol ensures that the airport management team are notified of all banner movements and can provide content approval at least 24 hours prior to take-off.”

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The ban had alreadybeen lifted this week after a plane took off from Blackpool Airport on Wednesday and flew over the Anfield stadium in Liverpool during the early part of Liverpool’s game against Chelsea with a congratulatory message for the newly-crowned Premier League champions.