Hi Fly (Lisbon) has issued this statement and photos on January 11, 2018:

The message of sustainability and protection of the seas carried by the “Turn the Tide on Plastic” boat in Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 is flying high with Hi Fly. The Airbus A330 painted under the same livery of the boat has already been across the five continents spreading the word around the globe.

For the past three months, the aircraft has already been in more than 20 destinations landing in the largest country in the world – Russia as well as in small paradisiac islands such as Jamaica and Tahiti. It has been in a number of European destinations in the UK, Belgium, Portugal and Spain; African countries such as Nigeria, Guinee and Congo and the biggest nations in the American continent: USA, Canada and Brazil. The themed aircraft has inclusively been in countries such as India and China where plastic contamination and pollution in general are, in fact, a huge concern. The most recent destinations visited by the aircraft were Australia and New Zealand where coincidently the Turn the Tide on Plastic boat is heading soon.

With this initiative, Hi Fly is raising awareness for an unprecedented campaign to eliminate marine litter and plastic in particular supporting the United Nations Environment’s Clean Seas campaign.

The aircraft is painted with a strong 2 sided statement: one dark blue side symbolizing a “polluted” ocean (below), and one light blue side representing a “clean” ocean (above).

Following up on this commitment, the double-down in March 2018 with this statement:

Hi Fly has announced its pledge to completely eliminate the use of avoidable and single use plastics on its aircrafts and at its offices before the end of 2019.

The airline is committed to contributing to a more responsible and sustainable planet by fighting against the very important issue that is plastic pollution. The company is actively implementing and promoting good practices in its business. This is a commitment that will position Hi Fly as the first plastic-free airline in the world.

According to Hi Fly President Paulo Mirpuri, “up until now, human beings have believed the ocean is an inexhaustible source of food and pleasure as well as a limitless garbage dump. The reality however, is that the ocean has its limits, and they are very close to being reached. We can no longer ignore the impact plastic contamination has on ecosystems, as well as on human health.”

Since the summer of 2017 the airline has been putting forward a number of initiatives aimed at raising awareness and fighting against the single use of plastic. The airline painted one of its Airbus A330, which is now flying all over the world, with the message “Turn the Tide on Plastic” in support of the United Nations “Clean Seas” campaign.  The same livery and message is simultaneously carried by the Mirpuri Foundation Volvo Ocean Race boat. The aircraft and boat both feature a side in a dark blue overlaid with images representing “pollution” while the other side is painted in a lighter blue representing a cleaner, pristine ocean. Through this initiative, Hi Fly is raising awareness with an unprecedented campaign to eliminate marine litter and plastic from our oceans.

Internally, action has also been taken to adjust procedures and involve the company’s employees in the campaign. As explained by Paulo Mirpuri “We started off with small initiatives such as installing water stations throughout our headquarters and other facilities, and distributing reusable water bottles to our employees. We’ve now been moving towards implementing new measures and processes that completely remove the use of plastic in all possible ways.”

Paulo Mirpuri is currently in New Zealand to attend the Volvo Ocean Race Auckland stopover representing Hi Fly and the Mirpuri Foundation, a non-profit organization which he also heads. The Foundation is the Volvo Ocean Race’s principal sustainability partner and proud sponsor of the “Turn the Tide on Plastic” team and boat.

The Turn the Tide on Plastic aircraft will continue to operate worldwide while the boat crosses the five oceans amplifying the message and the reach of the campaign in both the seas and the skies.

Hi Fly is an airline specialized in wet lease, EU – OPS carrier, FAA approved, EASA and IOSA certified. Hi Fly operates a large fleet of Airbus A330’s and A340’s, exclusively available for wet lease worldwide. Wet leasing (supply of aircraft with crew, maintenance and insurance) is Hi Fly’s core business, and has been developed with unmatched operational expertise over a decade of experience.

Photo credits: Leonardo Sanchez