British low-cost airline easyJet offered Wednesday to fly Pope Benedict XVI to Britain for free after a controversy erupted over the high cost of the pontiff’s visit.
The airline seized on a row that emerged after the pope criticised British laws seen as friendly to gays, prompting critics to point out that the visit would reportedly cost British tax payers 20 million pounds ($A36 million).
“We are confident that once he has tried easyJet, His Holiness will never look back,” easyJet said in a statement.
The airline said it contacted the Vatican on Wednesday to extend the invitation and was waiting for a response.
Pope Benedict, who usually flies with Italian airline and easyJet rival Alitalia, confirmed on Monday plans to visit Britain later this year in what would be the first such trip in 28 years.
But he sparked controversy in a letter to the bishops of England and Wales, saying new British equal opportunities legislation “violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded.”
Observers said the pontiff was referring to legislation that took effect on January 1, 2009 preventing adoption agencies — including Catholic ones — from discriminating against gay couples.
Source: AFP
By: sneijder - 5th February 2010 at 22:12
I hope they give him more legroom than I had going from LHR to Nice.
And will they let him onboard with his staff and pointed hat?
I bet security will have something to say about that.Is bottled Holy Water free?
Great name for a band…
Pontius Pilate and the Cabin Crew.
You’ll think I’m making this up, In BA’s PRS system ‘Holy Water’ is an option available to over ride an excess baggage charge. This only appeared around six months ago too IIRC, it can only have been put there as something has cropped up in the past.
By: J Boyle - 5th February 2010 at 21:49
I hope they give him more legroom than I had going from LHR to Nice.
And will they let him onboard with his staff and pointed hat?
I bet security will have something to say about that.
Is bottled Holy Water free?
Hopefully the Pontius Pilate won’t be flying it!
Great name for a band…
Pontius Pilate and the Cabin Crew.
By: cloud_9 - 4th February 2010 at 15:18
By travelling with Easyjet, he’s more likely to get lunged at by other passenger/s as they fight each other in order to get the best seats…!:D:diablo:
By: Gooney Bird - 4th February 2010 at 09:06
Hopefully the Pontius Pilate won’t be flying it!
By: Arabella-Cox - 4th February 2010 at 06:36
I would much hope that Britain gives the thumbs down to The Holy Father’s contribution to the equality and social justice debate. Nonetheless, I’m rather looking forward to his visit as both a practising Christian (liberal wing of the Church of England rather than RC) and prep school Divinity teacher.
Who knows whether he will take advantage of Easyjet’s rather clever publicity initiative?
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February 4, 2010 at 4:00 am