Earlier this year, in July, it was announced that ANA and JAL would be joining forces as the Supporting Partners for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay.
Today, the livery of the aircraft that will do the job was revealed.
ANA and JAL’s Partnership with the Tokyo Olympics
ANA and JAL became Tokyo 2020 Official Airline Partners in June 2015. Then, in July 2019, it was revealed that the two airlines – which normally compete with each other – would be working together to bring the Olympic flame from Greece to Japan.
Upon that announcement, Yuji Akasaka, Representative Director and President of JAL mentioned that it wouldn’t be the first time for JAL to carry the Olympic torch:
JAL supported the Olympic Games the for the first time more than half a century ago, when we transported the Olympic flame from Athens to Japan for the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Aircraft
It is not known yet whether an ANA or a JAL aircraft will be used for the torch relay (chances are it will be JAL), the aircraft will be a Boeing 787-8 wearing a special livery named – very descriptively – “TOKYO 2020.”
According to the commentary made during the unveiling, the aircraft’s livery represents the concept of the torch relay, “Hope Lights Our Way.” It features a runner with the torch at the front of the fuselage and red strokes representing the Olympic flame.
In the middle of the fuselage, a large golden “TOKYO 2020 OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY” title is included with a smaller “Hope Lights Our Way” title behind it.
The livery features logos of both ANA and JAL – as well as of the Tokyo Olympics – at the front, and the Olympic rings on its tail.
Other Tokyo 2020-Related Liveries
Separate from the above, both ANA and JAL already operate aircraft in special liveries designed to promote the upcoming Summer Olympics.
JAL operates a Boeing 767-300ER and a Boeing 777-200 in what it calls the “Everyone’s 2020 Jet” liveries. Among other things, the liveries feature the Tokyo Olympics mascots.
ANA operates a Boeing 777-200ER in “HELLO 2020” livery. That one was decorated based on a design created by a participant in ANA’s public contest to design the livery. It features some of Japan’s famous landmarks as well as some Olympic sports.
All three of these aircraft operate exclusively on domestic flights and can often be seen at Haneda airport among others.
Summary
While there are some challenges with the upcoming Olympics – especially the hot and humid summer weather – it’s great to see the games being held in Tokyo. It’s also refreshing to see two major competitors cooperating together.
All the other benefits (and drawbacks) of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics aside, as an aviation enthusiast, I am very happy to see multiple special liveries – including the latest and the most special “TOKYO 2020” one – come out as a result of the event.
