BEIJING, Oct. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- On October 2, the 2nd day of the weeklong National Day holiday, Air China's painted airliner, Zijin Hao (Forbidden Pavilion Liner), debuted. It's a twin of the Zichen Hao (Capital Pavilion Liner) that put into service on September 19. The artwork featured on Zijin Hao's fuselage depicts a red peony and some twigs and offshoots, and is a reproduction of the artistic logo of the Forbidden Pavilion First Class.
(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/200708081141.jpg )
The A330-200 jumbo jet, with its ergonomic seat features, take its maiden flight, to Hangzhou, on October 4, and will be used for Air China's flights to Rome, Vancouver and Paris, and certain domestic routes.
It's been long since foreign carriers began painting their aircraft to help build corporate image and contribute to branding. Paintings on fuselages are still something new for Chinese carriers. With its ambition to become one of the world's finest carriers, Air China has demonstrated firm commitment to customer orientation over the years. The Company began painting its airliners after being named the Olympics Airliner Partner, and those Olympics-themed airliners highlighted the Company's privileged status.
Zijin Hao and Zichen Hao offer a visual representation of Air China's high-end products -- Forbidden Pavilion First Class and Capital Pavilion Business Class. With start-of-the-art onboard accoutrements and impeccable service process, they round off Air China's high-end product concept from a visual perspective. Soon, the two new painted airliners will be joined by more, including Fenghuang Hao (Phoenix Liner), Mudan Hao (Peony Liner), and Sichuan Hao (Sichuan Liner).
The payoffs of Air China's relentless effort at brand building and product innovation are evident, and one of them is the constant increase in the Company's brand value. With its brand valued at RMB30.212 billion, Air China ranked 26th on the 500 Chinese Most Valuable Brand Rankings released by World Brand Lab in June 2008. As the top Chinese carrier, the Company also made it onto the World's Top 500 Brands list released by World Brand Lab in July 2008.
A recent survey conducted by Business Traveler, an English language travel magazine of international repute, revealed that Air China was again honored as "The Best Chinese Carrier of the Year". The company was also honored by Voyage magazine and www.sohu.com as "The Best Airline of the Year".
