After a voting period of 10 days, Brussels Airlines’ fans have decided: The Smurfs will become the new Belgian Icon and grace the airline’s 5th special livery plane. The designer of the Smurfs plane and winner of the contest is Italian student Marta Mascellani.
At the beginning of August Brussels Airlines launched a competition to let aviation enthusiasts and fans determine the 5th Belgian icon in its series of special planes dedicated to famous Belgians or Belgian culture. The airline received over 1,400 ideas and designs representing what Belgium stands for. The Smurfs are one of Belgium’s most loved comic characters and are internationally known so it doesn’t really come as a surprise that Marta’s Smurfs design received the most number of votes, ahead of the other design in the running: Art Nouveau/Victor Horta.
“Drawing is my big passion so when I heard of the contest I thought it was a great challenge I wanted to take. I’ve always loved Peyo’s creations. I like the Smurfs cartoon and the films. I thought it was also the best occasion to draw them because it’s the 60th anniversary in 2018. I love the fact that Brussels Airlines is the only airline to promote its country and culture in such a way, painting new special livery planes every year. My brother is a pilot for Brussels Airlines, so I feel connected to the company.”
Marta Mascellani, winner of the 5th Belgian Icon contest
Brussels Airlines is a proud ambassador of Belgium and really carries ‘belgitude’ in its heart. Tintin, Magritte, the Belgian Red Devils and Tomorrowland each fly proudly on an Airbus A320 as Belgian Icons. Also on board Brussels Airlines does whatever it takes to immerse her passengers in the Belgian culture: from chocolates, beers and menus made by Belgian Star Chefs to cabin crew uniforms designed by Belgian designers.