China Southern Airlines says it safely transported two giant pandas from Sichuan to their new home in Hong Kong.
On April 10, China Southern Airlines inked a "Charter Flight" pact with the Management Bureau of Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province to enable the two giant pandas to fly the carrier's most advanced and largest B747-400 freighter to Hong Kong from Sichuan.
Thanks to China Southern Airlines' rich experience and quality service in transporting live animals in past years, China's central government specially designated China Southern Airlines to carry the pandas to Hong Kong, enabling the giant pandas to enjoy the nearly two-hour flight safely and comfortably. Currently China Southern Airlines possesses two state-of-the-art Boeing 747-400 full-cargo freighters, enjoying high technology in flight speed and safety performance. In the past five years, China Southern's B747-400Fs have successfully conducted numerous charter missions in moving minks, Bangladeshi tigers and crocodiles.
To ensure this special panda mission, China Southern Airlines says it specifically readjusted its cargo schedules and set up a detailed transport proposal and completed the slot application very quickly, all aimed at guaranteeing a safe and on-time transport to Hong Kong.
For inflight snacks, China Southern offered the two giant pandas a "Luxury Suite" of 735 cubic meters in the main cargo compartment with fresh bamboo leaves and purified water available for them to enjoy.
