Sadiq Khan deal with United Airlines: 'Mayor's integrity tarnished' claim Greens

Business class flights were provided to the mayor of London in exchange for promotion of an airline - and an agreement not to publish criticism of the airline during a visit to the United States.

Details of the deal between Sadiq Khan's office and United Airlines have emerged following a formal complaint to the Greater London Authority (GLA) monitoring officer by Green Party assembly member Caroline Russell.

A spokesperson said the mayor "makes no apologies for travelling to the US last year and saving taxpayers money on the flights". But Ms Russell said Londoners "won’t like a corporate polluter getting a publicity boost from their mayor".

The agreement was signed in August 2022, ahead of a four-day visit to New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles to promote tourism by Mr Khan and deputy mayors Rajesh Agrawal and Justine Simons OBE. Following the agreement, United Airlines provided flights, less £254.76 per person for taxes and fees. In exchange, United representatives joined mayoral events, the company's logo was used during the visit, and Mr Khan provided "recognition of United" at events.

Furthermore the agreement states: "No materials will be used concerning United, which, in the sole opinion of United, disparage or reflect unfavorably on United, are otherwise inconsistent with the overall image of United, do not comply with the logo usage design requirements, or will jeopardize or undermine any copyright, trademark, service mark, logo, or other intellectual property of United."

In August, Ms Russell submitted a formal complaint that the flights were not declared as "gifts", and stating that as, at that stage, the agreement had not been made public, there were questions over openness and integrity in public office.

Following the subsequent publication of the agreement, Ms Russell said: “The office of the mayor of London should not be for sale - yet, United Airlines secured free publicity and final sign-off of mayoral materials in exchange for business class flights to the United States. London's mayor is bound by the principles of public life outlined in the code of conduct, and I am concerned the integrity of his office has been tarnished by what appears to be the endorsement of a product that actively harms the very people he was elected to serve.

“Londoners wouldn’t like BP’s logo on the mayor’s SUVs, they wouldn’t like Nestle sponsoring Free School Meals, and they won’t like a corporate polluter getting a publicity boost from their mayor in exchange for free flights abroad. Ultimately, this so-called ‘partnership agreement’ lacks the integrity and transparency we expect from City Hall. Londoners deserve to know what other polluters might be able to buy their mayor’s endorsement.”

A spokesperson for the mayor of London said: “Promoting London at home and abroad is a key part of the mayoralty and Sadiq makes no apologies for travelling to the US last year and saving taxpayers money on the flights. This visit was his first international mission since the start of the pandemic and an opportunity to encourage tourism to London and showcase the capital to businesses, investors, entrepreneurs and students in the world’s largest economy.

“In order to reduce the cost of the visit, City Hall secured an agreement for a group flight package with United Airlines, where only taxes and fees were payable. This one-off agreement did not result in a formal partnership between the Greater London Authority and United Airlines.”

Ms Russell's formal complaint is being investigated.

A United Airlines spokesperson said the company has made a number of sustainability-related announcements this year, including a goal of using 10 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel in 2023 – about three times more than 2022 and 10 times more than in 2019.