Olympic Fuwa Lifts China

  

      In terms of what’s next, China flag carrier China Southern is wasting no time spreading the excitement many people all over the world feel for the upcoming 2008 Olympics to be held in Beijing.
     Airbus A380 having just finished its prior to certification 17-day world tour, with three of its ten stops in China, saw the big aircraft joined by six other special airplanes carrying the Olympic message on special promotional flights.
     Three Beijing Olympic Airliners and three Olympic Fuwa Airliners, all operated by Air China followed a countrywide tour building the excitement at every stop along the way.
     Fuwa or “friendlies,” are the official mascots for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
     Fuwa carries a universal message of friendship, peace and blessings from China to children all over the world.
     As the only airline partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Air China will increasingly decorate its aircraft with these official mascots to promote the Olympic Games.
     Last year, Air China adorned three Boeing 737-700s with the "Beijing 2008" logo, named “Beijing Olympic Airliner”, to spread Olympic spirit across China.
     Earlier this month as three new Boeing 737-800s joined Air China’s fleet (FT 12/3), the first one had the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games livery highlighting the official mascots—including all five "Fuwa" animal cartoon characters.
     Today December 7, three Olympic Fuwa Airliners conclude their first flights from Beijing to eight major cities of China, three of which are cosponsors of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Shanghai, Shenyang and Qingdao.
     “Generally speaking, Olympic-decorated planes have only flown domestic routes, however now the three Beijing Olympic Airliners are embarking on service to 25 nearby short-haul countries,” Mrs. Zhang Chunzhi, Air China spokesperson tells FlyingTypers.
     “One Boeing 747 will be decorated as Olympic Fuwa Airliner, serving the long-range international flight and spreading our Olympic spirit to the world.”
David
     The ballots are in, the votes counted, the results are entered and one of the best air cargo clubs on the planet Atlanta Air Cargo Association
elected its 2007 Officers and Board Members.
     President is the great Harold Hagans, Atlanta Customs Brokers (pictured here); Vice President Jerry Freeman, Virgin Atlantic Cargo.
     Secretary for 2007 is Donna Mullins, Alpha Sun International and Treasurer will be Cynthia Johnston, Shipco Transport.
     Board Members 2007 include:  Perry Adair, Cargo Connections; Debbie Cooper, UPS; Becky Goss, Bennett International; Tim Holt, Atlanta Perishables Group; Mike McCauley, Lufthansa Cargo; Adi Selimovic, Virgin Atlantic Cargo.
     AACA Annual Holiday Party at the Marriott is set for Tuesday, December 19 at 11:30.
     Attendance is by reservation and open to members only.
     But AACA is open for new members and among all the air cargo clubs in the world, this one is tops.
     More info: RSVP by 12/15 to Beverly Horan via bhoran@azcfs.com or Rachel Worley via phone 404-684-2271.

Boeing and Nakash Group of America conclude deal for two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Nakash Group of America owns Arkia Israeli Airlines. Arkia based in Tel Aviv, becomes the first airline in Israel to operate the aircraft.

SWISS fleet got its eleventh Airbus A330 and twentieth long-haul aircraft. HB-IQR, the A330 took off for Montreal on its first SWISS flight on Wednesday December 6, at mid-day. The new bird adds frequencies on various intercontinental routes to North America, the Middle East and Africa. The SWISS long-haul fleet currently consists of 11 Airbus A330 and 9 A340 aircraft plus the leased-in PrivatAir Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) B737 operating the Zurich-Newark route.