Media release
21 November 2012
Hobbit Image Largest Graphic Ever Applied To An Aircraft
Tight security and total secrecy surround an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER aircraft sequestered in a closed hangar at
Air New Zealand’s Auckland Technical Operations base this week as it is transformed into a flying billboard for the soon
to be released film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Details of the unique Hobbit inspired livery are under wraps until the official reveal event this Saturday when the
aircraft will emerge from the hangar for the first time in front of a group of more than 100 VIPs and invited guests.
Air New Zealand’s General Manager Marketing and Communications, Mike Tod, says the design is simply stunning.
“The hobbit imagery will cover the length of the 73 metre Boeing 777-300ER aircraft – the longest aircraft in our fleet
– it will take six days and nearly 400 man-hours to install and at 830 square metres it’s the largest ever graphic to be
applied to an aircraft.”
Once the aircraft is revealed on Saturday it will then depart for London via Los Angeles returning to New Zealand in
time to play a starring role in the global premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in Wellington on Wednesday 28 November.
Click for big version.
Scaffolding goes up around an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER ahead of installation of the 830 square metre graphic
image.
ENDS