Hong Kong Airlines and Ocean Park have unveiled a three-year strategic partnership involving a panda-themed aeroplane. This collaboration, announced at Ocean Park’s Giant Panda Adventure exhibit, is designed to merge air travel with premier tourist experiences, showcasing Hong Kong’s unique charm to a global audience. The specially designed A320 aircraft, featuring themes from Ocean Park’s Panda Friends IP, is expected to commence operations in the first half of next year.

Jeff Sun, President of Hong Kong Airlines, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “This panda-themed aeroplane is more than just a commitment to promoting Hong Kong tourism; it serves as a symbol of our dedication to creating flights that are distinctly Hong Kong while providing emotional engagement.” The aircraft will act as an “ambassador in the sky”, allowing travelers to enjoy the charm of pandas even at 30,000 feet.

Paulo Pong, Chairman of Ocean Park Corporation, emphasized the partnership’s potential to raise worldwide awareness about giant panda conservation while attracting more visitors to Hong Kong. The initiative aims to strengthen the city’s position as a leading international travel hub.

The partnership will also include travel packages that simplify logistics by combining flights with admission to Ocean Park. Over the next three years, both organizations plan to explore additional collaborations, such as joint marketing efforts and community outreach programs, to enhance Hong Kong’s culture and tourism sectors.