1 week Ago By Tatenda Karuwa
Corendon Dutch Airlines has unveiled a unique tattoo-styled livery on one of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to celebrate the brand's 25th anniversary. It is the world's first fully tattooed aircraft, combining passions for art and aviation. The Dutch charter airline collaborated with renowned tattoo artist Hendrikus "Henk" Schiffmacher to bring the ambitious project to life.
The livery, unveiled at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on April 9, features a tattoo design covering nearly 200 square meters of the aircraft's fuselage. Taking Stories To The Skies The uniquely painted Boeing 737 is named Sweet Louise after Schiffmacher's wife. The design is inspired by classic nautical symbols and executed in traditional tattoo style, celebrating the artist's unique legacy.
The design is a tribute to the traveler, and passengers will be able to fly on the aircraft to Corendon's most popular holiday destinations. The idea was conceived during a conversation between Corendon CEO Gunay Uslu and Schiffmacher, who once dreamed of tattooing an aircraft. He is known for inking global icons like Lady Gaga and Kurt Cobain.
Uslu embraced the opportunity to bring art and aviation together in a unique way. The aircraft will connect with many art lovers traveling across the airline's network. Gunay Uslu said, "To celebrate Corendon's 25th anniversary, we wanted to do something bold and unforgettable, something that reflects who we are.
This collaboration with Henk Schiffmacher is more than just eye-catching; it symbolizes Corendon's adventurous spirit and our willingness to go off the beaten track. The tattooed aircraft is a tribute to our roots and our journey, and it shows that travel, like art, can tell powerful stories and bring people together in unexpected ways." Bringing a complex project to life Repainting the aircraft with the unique livery was a complex process, as the design had to be carefully scaled to fit the aircraft's contours without losing its artistic integrity.
According to Schiffmacher, the tattoo on the engine represents a pirate, the eternal wanderer of the seas. However, it was transformed for the Dutch carrier into a heart-shaped symbol. The design tells a unique story, reflecting Schiffmacher's years of traveling globally and connecting with people from various backgrounds.
The tattoo symbolizes movement, connection, and the desire to explore, resonating with many air travelers. Corendon worked with many aviation and art experts to bring the project to life and ensure the design maintained its integrity. The aircraft featuring the special livery is a relatively new Boeing 737 MAX 9, registration PH-CDQ.
According to ch-aviation, it was built in October 2023 and delivered the following month. It is one of three 737-9s in Corendon Dutch Airlines' fleet . Since the unveiling of the livery, it has operated six flights to and from the following cities: Amsterdam Antalya Bahrain Have you already traveled on one of these special aircraft? Celebrating 25 Years Of Corendon Corendon Dutch Airlines is the Dutch brand of the Corendon Group and sister airline of Turkish leisure carrier Corendon Airlines.
The brand was established in 2000, initially only selling airline tickets but later offering all-inclusive travel packages to Turkey. Corendon Airlines was founded in 2004, while Corendon Dutch Airlines was founded in 2011. Malta's Corendon Airlines Europe was founded in 2017.
While the PH-CDQ celebrates the brand's 25th anniversary, it is not the first Corendon aircraft to wear a special livery. Another 737 MAX, registration 9H-CXG, is currently branded with the colors of the English soccer team Hull City. The livery was unveiled in 2022 when Corendon became the club's first-ever official travel partner.
The aircraft currently flies to various destinations across Europe and North Africa. Other aircraft have also featured unique designs, including the Eurovision 737 sticker and VriendenLoterij promotional livery. Across the three airlines, Corendon currently has a fleet of about 31 aircraft, comprising Boeing 737 NGs, 737 MAXs, and an Airbus A350-900.
Corendon flies to 165 destinations in 65 countries, carrying an average of 6 million passengers annually..
