A new aviation badge for scouts has been criticised as a Heathrow marketing gimmick by a Labour politician.
Scout badges are traditionally associated with tasks like tying knots, building campfires and helping old ladies across the road.
But Heathrow announced today it has teamed up with The Scout Association to launch a new 'Aviation Skills Activity Badge' for members of the global youth organisation.
The badge which features the airport's logo beneath the scouting emblem and the outline of a plane, will be awarded to scouts who complete a course on the 'importance and responsibilities of aviation', according to Heathrow.
Those aiming for the badge will learn about navigation, the physics behind flight and how to marshal an aircraft, among other skills.
However, Brentford councillor and Labour parliamentary candidate for Brentford and Isleworth Ruth Cadbury criticised the use of the Heathrow logo on the badge.
"Heathrow loses no opportunity to market itself and I think any marketing like this should be removed," she told getwestlondon.
"Aviation does have a massive impact on our economy and environment and I don't see a problem with young people learning about flight. The more we understand about airlines and the aviation industry the more we can understand their motivations.
"If this was an independently promoted badge with several different organisations involved from the aviation industry having an input I wouldn't have a problem.
"What I do have a problem with is a company using it as a marketing opportunity for young people in the area."
Heathrow said the badge was dreamed up by young people on its Heathrow Graduate Training Programme who were working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, who had worked with Heathrow employees and local scout groups to develop the scheme.
Heathrow has agreed to sponsor the badge, with graduates from its training schemes leading evening activity sessions with local scout groups.
Jack Andrews, a 22-year-old graduate from the scheme, said: "As someone completely new to the world of aviation, working to create this Scouts badge has given me a fantastic appreciation of what Heathrow does. I’m really proud of what we've achieved and looking forward to working with local young people to share our newfound knowledge."
Simon Carter, assistant director of The Scout Association, said: "We value this partnership with Heathrow – working with key community focused businesses like this allows us to reach out and change the lives of even more young women and young men in many parts of the UK."
