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CHINA Southern Airlines had a huge win yesterday by taking out first place in the 36th annual Australia Day Ferrython on Sydney Harbour. CZ entered the race as part of its sponsorship of the Sydney Festival and took it seriously by decking out its ferry, Friendship, in colourful China Southern signage (pictured below). It paid off because the race was shown on ‘live’ TV and watched by thousands of spectators on the Harbour foreshores. The win was worth thousands of dollars in free publicity for the Guangzhou based carrier. “We’ve wanted to raise our profile in this market, so we’re very happy and excited to win the event,” He Zongkai, CZ Executive Vice President CZ told TD on board the ferry. “Although we didn’t get an actual prize, we’re more than happy with the kudos,” he said. The China Southern ferry was followed by a flotilla of boats with horns blaring and Aussie flags flying, passing the P&O Pacific Sun moored mid-harbour, which was dressed with two giant-sized Aussie flags measuring 44 metres by 22 metres unfurled port and starboard side, adding to the spectacle. Mr He also revealed that his airline wants to fly the Airbus A380 eventually from Guangzhou to Sydney and discussions have taken place within the airline in the past few days. “But we need more Business Class pax before we can put the 506-seat plane on the run. “As well as five A380’s on order, we take delivery of our first batch of Boeing 787 Dreamliners in Jul, and that’d be a big selling point for us if we also put it on the route,” He said. CZ says its load factors between Guangzhou and Australia are averaging over 90% in the Oct-Mar high season, with 75% load factors in the Apr-Sep low season. Pictured above yesterday onboard the winning Ferrython ferry are He Zongkai (left) with China Southern Airline’s manager corporate affairs, Bill Bryant. |
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