Taiwanese airline's themed aircraft to make its European debut in Paris! 

Taiwan's leading independent airline, EVA Air, is celebrating Hello Kitty's 40th birthday by bringing its themed aircraft to Europe. Effective from 29th October 2014, the award-winning carrier will start flying its special edition Boeing 777-300ER between the capital cities of Paris and Taipei, in a move that will mark the aircraft's debut in Europe. 

Offering the “purrfect” travel option for families travelling with young children, EVA Air's colourful jet is adorned with images of Hello Kitty and her friends. The theme continues on-board the plane, with an array of cute cabin features, food menus and service items. In addition to receiving luggage tags featuring the Japanese cartoon character, together with a warm welcome from air hostesses in Hello Kitty uniforms, an EVA Air spokesperson said that Hello Kitty fans can look forward to new menus, service tray mats, napkins and Hello Kitty-themed cutlery.

The new Paris services will replace the Taipei - Los Angeles Hello Kitty route, which has been flying three flights a week since 2013. EVA Air currently flies to Paris four times a week and from October the Hello Kitty aircraft will replace three of those flights. It will depart from Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and will return from the French capital's Charles de Gaulle airport every Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

According to EVA, the Hello Kitty aircraft has been designed in partnership with the cartoon character's creators, Sanrio, to “make flying fun and spread happiness among passengers all over the globe.”

 -Ends-

About EVA Air

EVA Airways was formed in 1989 as Taiwan's first privately owned international airline. It launched passenger services in 1991 and cargo services in 1995. It is a division of the respected Evergreen Group and sister company to global container-shipping leader Evergreen Line. Its mission from the start has been to always provide the best and safest services. It serves a network of more than 60 business, leisure and airfreight destinations in Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America. By joining Star Alliance (June 18, 2013), EVA has extended its network to more than 1,300 destinations in more than 190 countries. EVA's routing within Asia is among the industry's best and, with just one easy stop in Taipei, travellers can connect onward to most major cities, including gateways in every region of China. For more information and schedules, please visit: www.evaair.com. 

For media information and images, please contact Sarah Habicht or Guy Hough at Hume Whitehead on 0845 498 9987 or email: sarah@humewhitehead.co.uk / guy@humewhitehead.co.uk.