SWISS names Airbus ‘Locarno’ during town’s film festival

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A SWISS aircraft now bears the name ‘Locarno’. The plane – Airbus A320 HB-IJQ – was symbolically named at a ceremony held in the town during this year’s International Film Festival. The naming was performed by town mayor Carla Speziali, in the presence of festival president Marco Solari, SWISS CEO Christoph Franz, numerous invitees and media representatives.

SWISS named a further aircraft of its European fleet after a Swiss town today, as part of its overall naming concept. The name ‘Locarno’ was symbolically conferred on Airbus A320 HB-IJQ in a ceremony at the town’s Castello Visconteo, near its famous Piazza Grande. “Locarno has an excellent reputation in the tourist and cultural fields,” said town mayor Carla Speziali, who performed the naming act. “And we are proud that a SWISS Airbus A320 will now carry its name to all of Europe’s major airports.”

The naming took place during this year’s Locarno International Film Festival, which has also spread the town’s name and reputation all over the world. SWISS has long been a partner of the event, and also acts as Official Airline. “With its Piazza Grande and Lake Maggiore, Locarno offers the perfect setting for one of the world’s most important film festivals,” said festival president Marco Solari. “Good transport links are vital to our being able to stage such an event. And a good number of our guests from all over the world come to Switzerland by air. From now on, they may even get here on the ‘Locarno’!”

SWISS CEO Christoph Franz was equally enthusiastic about the latest addition to the names carried by the SWISS aircraft fleet. “We are the national airline of the whole of Switzerland,” he explained. “And, as our country’s ambassador, we are proud to represent Locarno and Canton Ticino, this wonderful region in Switzerland’s South.”

Swiss International Air Lines Ltd. Corporate Communications press release, 18.08.2008