Japan’s Solaseed Air launched its special aircraft “Go! forward Kumamoto” (Boeing 737-800, registration: JA807X) on April 14.
Marking ten years since the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes, the project aims to support the restoration of Kumamoto Castle and promote regional revitalization, under the theme “Let’s look forward and move ahead, and let’s go to Kumamoto!”
The cities of Kumamoto, Kikuchi, and Yamaga, the towns of Takamori and Mifune, and the village of Minamiaso in Kumamoto Prefecture have endorsed and joined the project. The aircraft is decorated with local symbols including Kumamoto Castle, the Kikuchi Hakuryu Festival, Mount Nekodake, dinosaurs (symbolizing Mifune’s dinosaur discoveries), the Minamiaso Railway trolley train, the Yamaga Lantern Festival, and the slogan “Go! forward Kumamoto.” Colors Planning supervised and produced the design. The aircraft is scheduled to operate for approximately two years.
On the launch day, an inaugural ceremony was held at Kumamoto Airport. Representatives from the participating municipalities and other related parties attended, and passengers on flight 6J16 from Kumamoto to Tokyo/Haneda received original goods from the six municipalities and Solaseed Air, along with sightseeing brochures.
For one year through March 2027, in-flight announcements will be made by representatives from the six participating municipalities. In addition, the in-flight magazine “Soratane” will feature special pages introducing each of the six municipalities. Solaseed Air is also accepting donation miles from members of its mileage program “Solaseed Smile Club” to support the restoration of Kumamoto Castle. Members can donate from 1,000 miles per person, in units of 500 miles, up to a maximum of 20,000 miles. Applications are accepted from 10:00 a.m. on April 14 through May 31.
