The group photo of school students and officials with mascots Orry and Orah.
DOHA: Qatar Airways China commemorated 15 years of operation in China by visiting the Qatar Airways Hope School in Guangyang, Sichuan, last month, with surprise appearances by the airline’s adorable and friendly mascots – Orry and Orah.
The Qatar Airways China team, led by Vice-President for Qatar Airways North Asia, Joshua Law, journeyed to Guangyuan City, Sichuan on October 26 to meet and engage with students, teachers and the entire school community at the Qatar Airways Hope School.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways was humbled to have played a small part in the rebuilding process of the Sichuan province. When the school first opened in 2010, we intended for it to be a lasting monument of Qatar Airways’ commitment to China and the Chinese people. We remain delighted to see students enjoying their studies and playtime at this facility, and couldn’t be prouder to celebrate our 15th year anniversary in China with the students and teaching faculty at the Qatar Airways Hope School. Just as we remain committed to the Chinese market, we are committed to creating opportunities for children in rural China to leverage education as their means to reach for the skies.”
Qatar Airways Hope School was a joint project with China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF), and was swiftly carried out in the weeks following the 8.0 magnitude earthquake which wiped out villages and towns throughout Sichuan province in 2008. The school officially opened in June 2010.
In total, more than 7,000 school buildings were destroyed in the earthquake, and almost 5,000 lives were lost in Guangyuan alone during the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake.
On the occasion of the airline’s 15th anniversary in China, the Qatar Airways team brought along Oryx Kids’ Club mascots, Orry and Orah, to lead the Hope School students in an energetic morning workout session, followed by a drawing session where the students were encouraged to put pen to paper and depict their best wishes for Qatar Airways.
The pictures the students drew not only illustrated their congratulatory messages for the airline, but also showcased their own bright hopes and expectations for their future.
In October 2018, Qatar Airways celebrated 15 years of service to and from China, with its first flight to China beginning in October 2003 to Shanghai.
Qatar Airways currently operates 45 weekly flights to seven Greater China gateways: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu and Hong Kong.
