Brussels Airlines has been running a programme of special liveries for a decade now, which started when Belgian Icon, Arthur Rackham was celebrated with a unique livery bringing one of his most iconic pieces of illustration to life once again, Tintin. Back then I’m sure the airline wouldn’t have imagined launching 7 more across 10 years.
The latest, The Atomium, follows in succession of other greats such as Trident for the Belgian Red Devils, Amare for tomorrowland, Magritte, Aerosmurf and Pieter Bruegel’s the ‘Elder’. After a contest launched in August last year, the winning design of architect Thomas Faes was brought to life.
The “Atomium” celebrates the nation’s spirit of creativity, innovation, and pride, and the building is an instant icon of Belgium helping promote the country to airport aprons of cities across Europe.
At a special event held in Brussels Airlines’ Maintenance & Engineering hangar, media, guests, and employees gathered to witness the grand reveal of the winner’s artwork, finally brought to life. There were over 900 entries to last year’s competition, which were whittled down to just 15 shortlisted entries, which were then judged by a panel including inger Sandra Kim, musician Alex Callier, artist Philippe Geluck, and designer Gabrielle Szwarcenberg.
Thomas Faes was proud of his very first livery. “There are many parallels between an architectural project and the design of an aircraft livery. Both involve a series of stages to complete and constraints to consider. What stands out most to me of these last months, is the human journey behind it all. However, I will also always remember the first 3D simulation – that moment when you can truly say that it has the desired impact. Equally unforgettable is seeing the aircraft in real life, experiencing that magical transition from concept to reality. I am incredibly proud of the result, which blends elegance with modernity.”
The design of such special liveries are no mean feat. To transform Thomas Faes’ (Faes Architecture) concept into reality, Brussels Airlines’ marketing team refined his design to meet all technical specifications. The painting process required over 400 liters of paint and took about 2,400 hours from start to finish. Renowned XXL airbrush artist André Eisele, who has worked on all eight previous Belgian Icons, once again delivered another Belgian Icon.
But it’s not just the outside, the inside of the aircraft is also themed to the exterior, giving passengers the chance to experience the brand. OO-SNM’s interior is also remarkable, guiding passengers through the structure’s history. From original sketches and historical photos of its 1958 construction to present-day imagery, the design tells the story of Belgium’s iconic monument.
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