Japan Airlines (JAL) unveiled its special-livery “JAL Tunk Tunk JET” (Boeing 737-800, registration JA344J) in a hangar at Tokyo Haneda Airport on November 6.
The aircraft features Tunk Tunk, the official mascot character of the International Horticultural Expo 2027 (GREEN×EXPO 2027), which will be held in Yokohama from March 2027. It will enter service on JAL flight JL231 from Tokyo/Haneda to Okayama on November 7.
The aircraft is decorated with Tunk Tunk, the GREEN×EXPO 2027 logo, and designs evoking the vitality of Earth adorned with flowers and greenery. Drinks will be served onboard in specially designed paper cups. The aircraft will operate on domestic routes through around September 2027.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by JAL President Mitsuko Tottori, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kentaro Asahi, Nobuyoshi Chiba, Deputy Secretary-General of the Japan Association for the 2027 International Horticultural Expo, and Tunk Tunk. Tottori said she hopes the special-livery aircraft will communicate the appeal of the Expo as it flies around Japan and contribute to regional revitalization. She described JAL’s participation in the Expo as “an important step toward passing on a prosperous Earth to the next generation.”
The latter half of the ceremony also featured a fashion show produced by designer Junko Koshino. According to Koshino, the show came about after she met with President Tottori during this year’s New Year holiday and they discussed doing something together.
The show featured 37 models: 35 JAL Group employees selected through an internal call for participants, along with JAL athlete employees and para-athletics competitors Erina Yuguchi and Yudai Suzuki. They walked a runway set up in front of the aircraft. It was the runway debut for all of the models, who practiced walking and posing after their daily work before taking to the stage. The yukata and shirts worn in the show were special costumes designed for the occasion, expressing coexistence with the natural environment and a world of flowers and greenery.
▲Designer Junko Koshino (center left) and JAL President Mitsuko Tottori (center right) address the fashion show
Koshino said it was also her first experience holding a show in an aircraft hangar. She revealed that auditions had been held for the employee models and praised them highly, saying they could potentially become professionals as a result of this experience.
As a Gold Partner of GREEN×EXPO 2027, the JAL Group is sponsoring both efforts to build momentum for the Expo and projects related to venue operations. In addition to operating the special-livery aircraft and sharing information onboard, the group will provide hospitality and accessibility training for venue staff and volunteers. A second “JAL Tunk Tunk JET” aircraft is also planned for international routes.
GREEN×EXPO 2027 will be held from March 19 through September 26, 2027, at the former Kamiseya Communications Site in Yokohama, under the theme “Scenery of the Future for Happiness.” More than 10 million paid visitors are expected.
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This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
