Celebrating the 15th National Games of China with a striking new design powered by our aerospace coatings

Our long-standing partnership with China Southern Airlines recently took to new heights with the launch of the “Vibrant Greater Bay Area” Airbus Aircraft A350, which has just completed its inaugural flight from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to Beijing Daxing International Airport. This vibrant themed livery celebrates the spirit of the Greater Bay Area and the upcoming 15th National Games of China and our coatings expertise played a central role in making it possible.

Bringing the Greater Bay Area to life in the skies: The “Vibrant Greater Bay Area” design combines some of the region’s most iconic symbols from the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge and the Games’ lively mascots, to soaring seagulls and blossoming kapok flowers.

“With the sky as our canvas, we wanted this aircraft to reflect the color, vibrance and spirit of the Greater Bay Area,” shared the design team at China Southern Airlines.

To bring this creative vision to life, the airline entrusted our aerospace coatings specialists to deliver a finish as dynamic and enduring as the design itself.

50+ bespoke colors, created with precision and speed: Realizing such a complex and vibrant livery demanded an exceptional level of color development. Our team created more than 50 bespoke colors exclusively for this aircraft, accurately matching every tone from the design blueprint.

“We completed the color development in just two weeks, ensuring the design could move from concept to fuselage with flawless precision,” says Nicole Hu, MRO Sales Manager China, Aerospace Coatings Asia Pacific.

All colors were manufactured at our Dongguan site, ensuring consistent quality and a seamless production schedule.

Lightweight, durable and more sustainable — powered by Aerobase BCCC: Beneath the vivid exterior lies our cutting-edge technology. The aircraft is finished using Aerobase BCCC, AkzoNobel’s advanced basecoat/clearcoat system which enhances durability, reduces maintenance needs, and delivers a lighter overall coating weight.

“This system enables significant paint savings and lower VOC emissions, while still achieving stunning aesthetics and meeting the strictest aviation standards,” explains Nicole.

A trusted partnership, built on performance and innovation: This special livery is just the latest milestone in our decades-long relationship with China Southern Airlines. Our coatings protect and enhance more than 650 aircraft across their fleet, ensuring lasting beauty and performance in service.

At AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings, we are proud to support one of the world’s leading airlines with solutions that combine striking design, long-term protection and a clear commitment to a more sustainable future, helping them inspire passengers on every flight.