ABSTRACT
This chapter examines two internationalist and yet very different visions for post-war aviation which came to prominence in London during World War II. It explores the first through discussions within the international relations think-tank Chatham House and Labour party policy statements. The chapter shows that the internationalist vision emerged from earlier interwar thinking on aviation, and was strongly evident in Britain in 1943 and 1944. It focuses on the rhetorical content of these visions and show that they made use of metaphors and public images of international companies and international transport dating back to the early interwar period. The 'Wings of Peace' and Airopia visions consequently clashed during Parliamentary debates on the future of British airlines. The alternate vision was the brainchild of George de Lengerke, but quickly won backing among Conservatives and the political right. It envisaged the creation of a private pan-European airline, Airopia, which would run air services in Europe, and have its shareholdings spread across Europe.
