News Flash / Celebrating the Debut of the Corporate Mascot "Wei Bear" – Vanilla Air: Giving Away 10 Free Flight Tickets First

▲ Vanilla Air unveils its new aircraft livery and corporate mascot "Wei Bear" for the first time on March 24.

Reported and photographed by Reporter Chen Rui-zhong / Taipei

Taiwan’s first homegrown low-cost carrier, Vanilla Air, unveiled its corporate branding identity inspired by the Formosan black bear for the first time on March 24, and announced thatLong Chang-chihas been appointed as the airline’s General Manager.

Chang Yung-fa Foundation-controlled China Airlines and Vanilla Air Chairman Lin Ming-fu stated that 63 years ago, China Airlines was Taiwan’s first privately-owned airline, and 63 years later, Vanilla Air is also Taiwan’s first homegrown low-cost carrier. Currently, Vanilla Air has submitted the relevant application documents to the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) according to the scheduled process, and is expected to commence operations inSeptember this yearafter the CAA completes the review.

▲ Vanilla Air Chairman Lin Ming-fu (right) presents 10-year unlimited-destination free flight tickets to two winners of the naming competition.

Lin Ming-fu also pointed out that during the initial phase of operation, the airline plans to introduce 2–3 A320 or A321 aircraft to provide flight services; the recently held flight attendant recruitment, which attracted over 1,800 applicants, has now entered the final selection stage, with 80 candidates who fit Vanilla Air’s requirements set to be chosen. As forthe routes and ticket prices of most concern to the public, these will be officially announced only after the CAA confirms the flight destinations.。

%耐?蕉?鲁ち置麈 (left) and General Manager Long Chang-chi.

Additionally, today Vanilla Air also awarded 10-year unlimited-flight tickets to two winners who stood out in the naming competition. Lin Ming-fu also stated that in addition to the recent naming competition,Vanilla Air will hold a celebratory event on its Facebook fan page where participants can upload photos to win flight tickets, with an estimated 10 Vanilla Air tickets valid for any destination to be given away,and more regular promotional activities will be held in the future.

Regarding the newly unveiled "Wei Bear" image that made its first appearance on the 24th, Vanilla Air General Manager Long Chang-chi said that he hopes to use Taiwan’s unique Formosan black bear to represent the airline, giving the public a refreshing impression.