Taiwan’s flagship carrier China Airlines (CAL) on Wednesday unveiled its “Pikachu Jet CI,” the first Pokémon liveried aircraft in the country.
The A321neo jet, which is touted as “the most colorful livery in the history of CAL,” took 21 days to apply and is scheduled to make its maiden flight from Taipei (Songshan) to Tokyo (Haneda) on Oct. 2, the carrier said at a press conference.
CAL said the “Pikachu Jet CI” painting process utilized 36 different types of paint to cover the fuselage with pastel orange, pink and violet.
Eleven Pokémon characters are featured, including Pikachu flying through the sky with Shaymin, Swablu, Togekiss, Munna, Jigglypuff, Snorlax, Slowpoke, and Teddiursa, the airline said, adding that an Easter egg of Pikachu and Shaymin also appears above the cockpit window.
According to CAL, travelers flying on the liveried aircraft will receive Pokémons decorated boarding passes and baggage tags on checking-in, with passenger cabins and meals also featuring the anime series.
Flight attendants will wear aprons featuring Pikachu in flight, and the entertainment system will provide 10 Pokémon cartoons, it said.
In addition to the aircraft amenities, CAL said, it is currently working with The Pokémon Company to develop peripheral merchandise, including the “Pikachu Jet CI” model aircraft, mixed snack gift box, tote bag and flight attendant apron.
The merchandise will be released before the first quarter of next year when travelers on flights to destinations in Asia, including Palau and Guam, will be able to order them online before departure, CAL said.
At the press conference, CAL President Kao Shing-hwang (高星潢) said the air travel market looks promising once Taiwan eases border controls, scrapping the 3-day quarantine mandate for arriving travelers from Oct. 13.
Although there may not be an influx of tourists initially, ticket bookings for November and December so far seem “overwhelming,” Kao said.
Airfares could remain relatively high for a while due to soaring fuel prices and global inflation but should gradually return to normal, he said.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel
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