An image ambassador of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in the air, a CIIE-themed aircraft of China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd (China Eastern) is now touring China.
Painting of the first CIIE-themed aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER with the largest passenger capacity and the longest cruising range, was completed on July 2. The aircraft is also equipped with a world-leading cabin service system.
Its maiden flight was to Chengdu in Sichuan province, hometown of Jinbao, the mascot of the CIIE, which is an image of a panda.
Later, it started a world tour, flying to France, Canada, the UK, Netherlands, the US, South Korea, Japan, Australia and Sri Lanka.
It ended the world tour on Sept 25 and then commenced its domestic tour from the Beijing Daxing International Airport.
So far, before the opening of the third CIIE, the aircraft has carried out flights to Chongqing and to Kunming in Southwest China's Yunnan province, Xi'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi province and Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong province.
Passengers said they were excited to have the chance to take the CIIE-themed flight and wished for a successful third CIIE. They also expressed their hopes that more people will come to know more about the event and participate in it.
During the flight, they enjoyed services with CIIE characteristics and were given dolls in the image of Jinbao.
China Eastern signed an agreement with the CIIE Bureau on June 9, 2020, becoming a core supporting enterprise and a designated aviation carrier of the event.
The two sides have launched cooperation in ten fields related to aviation logistics, image promotion and industrial investment.
A passenger takes a selfie in front of China Eastern's CIIE-themed aircraft on July 2. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)