Jetstar has unveiled new rainbow coloured pride livery in a celebration of its ongoing support of the LGBTQI+ community ahead of Melbourne’s annual queer arts and culture festival, Midsumma.
The Melbourne based low-cost carrier is marking eight years of being the official airline partner of Midsumma, with team members getting ready to once again take part in the 2024 Pride March through St Kilda and hosting a stall at the Midsumma Carnival.
Jetstar Group CEO, Stephanie Tully, said the airline has been a long-time supporter of the LGBTQI+ community. “There’s a seat for everyone at Jetstar, no matter how you identify, and this inclusive spirit is now on display more publicly than ever,” she said.
“Melbourne is Jetstar’s home, and we’re incredibly proud to be the official airline partner of Midsumma for the eighth year in a row,” said Ms Tully.
The three-week festival kicks off in January, and this year, Jetstar is stepping up its pride celebrations, applying new Flying With Pride and rainbow star livery to one of its Airbus A320 aircraft.
The message of solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community is emblazoned across more than nine metres of the VH-VFY registered aircraft which will fly across Jetstar’s domestic network from tomorrow.
The pride livery was applied in the airline’s engineering hangar at Melbourne Airport where staff from Jetstar, Qantas, Midsumma Festival and Melbourne Airport gathered on Tuesday evening for its official unveiling.
Guests were entertained by Jetstar drag artists Victoria Bitter and Randy Roy as well as Midsumma star, Dolly Diamond, who is celebrating her 20th anniversary of performing at the festival.
Those gathered also heard more about Midsumma’s 2024 program and the Qantas Group’s Illuminate support network for LGBTQI+ employees and their allies.
“We couldn’t be more thankful to the team at Jetstar for their wonderful ongoing support of Midsumma and the work we do year-round supporting LGBTQIA+ artists and community members,” said Midsumma Festival CEO, Karen Bryant.
“Witnessing a Jetstar aircraft travelling around the country with pride livery will bring much joy and visibility to LGBTQIA+ community members and allies.”
For more information about Midsumma and the 2024 Festival program, visit: www.midsumma.org.au For more information about Jetstar, visit: www.jetstar.com for details.
Image: Dolly Diamond with the Jetstar Airbus A320 displaying the Flying With Pride livery – courtesy of Jetstar