Image copyright TINATAN Image caption Tinatan Airlines boasts domestic and international routes
A picture says a thousand words, and this one sums up Taiwan’s new carrier.
The Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, which costs around $41m (TT$120m) to build, is on show on the airport runway at Taipei Southwest airport, famous as “the bridge” to the neighbouring island of Macau.
Tinatan Airlines, which carries the name of the fictional volcano that is the centrepiece of the old play, in hopes of winning over passengers with its “hornet’s nest” of flights.
‘Tinatan’s hornet’s nest’
Image copyright Evan Schneider Image caption The fuselage and wings are made of interlocking quill-shaped pieces
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Image copyright Evan Schneider Image caption The fuselage and wings are made of interlocking quill-shaped pieces
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“It’s more than a plane. Its logo uses the original symbolism of the h earthen hornet’s nest,” it says.
These quill-shaped sections are made from a special kitesuit steel at a cost of $10,000 each, plus another $2,000 per piece for cabin fittings.
The plane will be tested before it starts commercial flights in late 2019.
Image copyright Evan Schneider Image caption As well as the aircraft, Tinatan will offer passengers luxury spa treatments
“This is not the first airline with a hornet’s nest logo,” says marketing manager Shawn P Chen.
“American Airlines used a similar logo. South African Airways uses a similar logo, KLM uses a similar logo.
“We are carrying the hornet, the nest, the quill and the saddle,” he adds.
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During the rollout ceremony, passengers were greeted by a fire engine and several firemen wearing hard hats, orange safety jackets and masks.
“We have considered not including security measures, but at the end of the day, safety is for everyone,” said project manager Sho Kun Chu.
As well as the hornet, company chief executive Chang Chia-feng suggested the company’s name “A duck for Taiwan” for its foreign service.
A cup of coffee and a lei are served to the guests, but nothing can match that of the new CEO’s signing on.
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