Air New Zealand’s next safety video, due for release in March, will highlight the importance of Antarctica in understanding global climate change.

The video, and associated content profiling the work of scientists on the continent, builds on the airline’s partnership with Antarctica New Zealand, which has supported climate and environmental research in the Ross Sea area since 2012.

Air New Zealand general manager global brand and content marketing, Jodi Williams says the video is a glimpse into a part of the world few experience, but which has the greatest potential impact on the planet’s future.

“Air New Zealand’s safety videos have a phenomenal worldwide following, and have collectively attracted more than 110 million views online, as well as coverage across the world’s top news outlets.

“We hope this video, together with the educational content we’ve filmed, will draw attention to the important research underway to better understand and prepare for a warming world.”

Director Kevin Denholm, who helmed Air New Zealand’s first feature safety video, the Bare Essentials of Safety in 2009, featuring body-painted Air New Zealand staff, and The Bear Essentials of Safety starring British adventurer Bear Grylls in 2013, says filming on the ice had its challenges.

“One of our non-negotiables was to take all possible steps to minimise the environmental impact of filming on our stunning location, and we were careful to only take the minimum of equipment with us.”

The video will be rolled out across the airline’s fleet from March this year.