The latest addition to Air New Zealand’s Boeing B747 fleet has been given a little extra grunt by the powerful, young
All Blacks front row.
The strong men of the All Blacks front row feature in a striking 11 metre high tribute from Air New Zealand to the All
Blacks 1999 Rugby World Cup campaign.
“Air New Zealand is in the front row of supporters for the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby. As the national airline and
Official Airline of the All Blacks, we thought we’d give our support an extra push by demonstrating the scale of that
support,” says Air New Zealand managing director Jim McCrea.
“This is the world’s largest flying billboard. Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft and Kees Meeuws are pretty overpowering in
person but they make a giant impact on our 747. This is a fantastic opportunity to take New Zealand and the All Blacks
to the world.”
The All Blacks will leave New Zealand on the aircraft on September 23, carrying the hopes and best wishes of New
Zealand’s legion of rugby fans for a repeat of the 1987 World Cup win.
“Can you imagine the impact on the opposition and the English media when the All Blacks arrive in their own plane,” says
Mr McCrea. “We’ve created a real All Blacks’s plane – not just another black plane. We think this sends out a clean,
clear message about the spirit of our team and the spirit of our country.”
The 11 metre by 26 metre graphic was designed by Air New Zealand’s livery designer Catherine Rezaei and produced by
Admark Visual Imaging Ltd.
The 440 square metre graphic will remain on the plane throughout the World Cup as the aircraft flies Air New Zealand’s
regular international routes.
“Most of the team will return on the same aircraft, hopefully with a little extra piece of baggage known as the William
Webb Ellis Trophy, and the graphic will remain on the plane for up to three months after a successful World Cup
campaign,” says Mr McCrea.
Ends.