Taken from Qantas.com- Johannesburg, June 2010-
World-renowned actor and Global Goodwill Ambassador for Qantas Airways, John Travolta flew out to South Africa on June 10, prior to the kick off of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in support of the Qantas Socceroos, the Australian soccer team. Travolta, a qualified pilot and Hollywood star of well-known films such as Saturday Night Fever, Grease and Pulp Fiction, flew his own Qantas-branded 707 aircraft, and landed safely at Lanseria Airport, situated north west of Johannesburg on Thursday morning.
Prior to arriving in Johannesburg, John was in Buenos Aires promoting the thrice-weekly non-stop air link Qantas offers between Argentina and Australia, with its corresponding connecting flights.
Travolta acts as an official goodwill ambassador for Qantas wherever he flies, and while he is in the country for five days, he will be paying an encouragement visit to the Qantas Socceroos during training. While in South Africa, he will also be assisting in promoting the Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund to help raise awareness of their needs. Accompanying him on the journey is his family, including his wife, actress Kelly Preston.
“I have always been a great admirer of Qantas, an airline which embodies the spirit of Australia, so when Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas Airways invited me on this trip to support the soccer boys from down-under, there was no hesitation in mind that my family and I had to be here to wish them all the best for the World Cup. Go Qantas Socceroos!” said John Travolta.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce says that the airline takes pride in having Travolta as an official ambassador.
“On behalf of Qantas and the Qantas Socceroos, we would like thank John for taking the time to come out to South Africa to support the Australian soccer team in their quest for the cup. As a true international ambassador, John has a considerable international profile and undoubtedly will provide inspiration and support for the Qantas Socceroos.”
Qantas was founded in the Queensland outback in 1920. Registered originally as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS), it has built a reputation for excellence in safety, operational reliability, engineering and maintenance, and customer service. Today, Qantas is widely regarded as the world’s leading long distance airline and one of the strongest brands in Australia. The airline announced on 31 May 2010 that it would operate a daily schedule on its Johannesburg – Sydney route from 21 September 2010.
Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (4083)