Airport safety role for popular piglet
Hong Kong's airport may already be 'one of the safest in the world', but a dim-witted piglet has been enlisted to help make it even safer.
McDull, the animated cartoon character who once dreamed of a trip to the Maldives but ended up at The Peak, will finally make it to the airport.
A short video starring McDull and mother, Mrs McBing, will be shown on screens all over the airport, promoting a safety message, primarily to children, in three languages.
'McDull has become one of Hong Kong's most celebrated cartoon characters - he has become a local icon,' said Airport Authority communications officer Chris Lam.
'We are therefore confident that he will offer visitors a pleasant first impression when they arrive in Hong Kong. However, we do hope that while children enjoy the fun and laughs of the short video, they will learn something.'
The video is part of the airport's 'Summer Fun and Games' programme. It has been produced by the creators of McDull, including illustrator Alice Mak Ka-bik.
The dim-witted but beguiling piglet has starred in two animated movies, My Life As McDull and McDull, Prince De La Bun, which helped him captivate cinema audiences as far away as France.
The first movie featured scenes in which McDull, desperate for a trip to the Maldives, was taken instead to The Peak by his mother, who persuaded him it was the island paradise.
The short video, featuring the porcine pair at the airport, will be shown on more than 80 monitors in the terminal, including in the baggage claim area, the arrivals hall and the children's television lounges. Broadcast in English, Cantonese and Putonghua, it will provide messages on airport safety to visitors - particularly children.
A man-sized McDull mascot will also appear daily at the departure check-in hall.
As part of the programme, game stalls will be set up in the children's play area and the food court where children can 'kill time' with activities such as nail painting, balloon twisting and handicraft making.
