Etihad Airways, the official airline partner of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, unveiled a striking new livery to promote the Games, which will take place in the nation’s capital between 14 – 21 March.
The livery has the four athletes' mages emblazoned across one of the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The four UAE athletes include swimmer Omar Al Shami, runner Hamda Alhosani and bowlers Saleh Almarri and Mariam Al Hosani. The special decal was designed and printed in-house by the airline’s own creative team and applied by technicians at Etihad Airways Engineering facilities in Abu Dhabi.
Robin Kamark, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer, said: "[...]It is our hope that as this aircraft travels the globe, it will convey a message of hope and inclusion, recognising the UAE’s Year of Tolerance.”
Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi will be the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world in 2019. Over 7,500 athletes and 3,000 coaches, representing more than 190 nations, will participate in 24 officially sanctioned Olympic-style sports in world-class venues throughout Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
With March’s Games quickly approaching, it is expected that more than 20,000 overseas visitors will join tens of thousands of spectators from across the UAE to watch what is likely to be the largest global event ever staged in the UAE capital.
Peter Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer, Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, said: “[...] With Etihad flying to many countries around the world, the new livery will help raise awareness of the upcoming World Games across the globe. By carrying the faces of our athletes on its aircraft, Etihad are playing an important role in spreading the universal message of tolerance and inclusion in a creative and impactful way to audiences in airports and cities around the world.”
