DUBAI // A specially emblazoned Etihad Airways passenger jet celebrating the latest Fast and Furious film has been unveiled as part of a promotional campaign for the Hollywood blockbuster.
The film’s star, Vin Diesel, was at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday to greet the luxury Boeing 777 airliner as it arrived from Abu Dhabi to kick off a global promotion and world premiere of Furious 7.
Vox Cinemas has confirmed the film will open in the UAE on April 2, a day before its official US release date.
“We are pleased to work together with Universal, an organisation that shares that same spirit of innovation and reimagination when it comes to the world of entertainment,” said Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways.
The Fast and Furious 777 will fly directly between Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles.
The Abu Dhabi carrier is also sponsoring the film’s world premiere in LA on April 1.
The capital was a key location during production of the movie, with a number of scenes filmed in the city last year.
Over a two-week period in April, filming took place in areas including the Liwa Desert, the city centre, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, Yas Marina Circuit and Etihad Towers.
"When we began filming The Fast and the Furious (franchise) in 2000, if you told me that we would one day have our logo on a wide-body jet, I would have said you were crazy," producer Neal H Moritz said.
“We are so honoured that Etihad has partnered with us to support this very personal film, and we thank the people of the United Arab Emirates for all the kindness and graciousness they showed throughout production.”
The logos will remain in place for the next four to six months.
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