Airline issues special boarding passes for China deity statues cross-strait religious visit
Goddess of Sea models take ‘first class’ trip to Taiwan as authorities lay on top security, special safety belts, fast track services
Two statues of Mazu, or the “Goddess of the Sea” have been flown from Xiamen to Taiwan after the airline issued a special boarding pass under the name “Lin Mo,” to denote a cultural exchange between the two places.
On March 29, the statues boarded Xiamen Airlines flight MF881 and departed from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport in southeastern China for Taiwan.
Trending videos which show crew members carefully carrying the statues into the cabin quickly went viral online.
One of the statues featured the main deity called “Black-faced Mazu”, who earned the name for her face turning completely black when using her powers to repel the attackers and protect her hometown.
The other statue featured a soft pink-tone face, symbolising a warm and loving mother figure.
The airline issued a special boarding pass for the statues under the name “Lin Mo” and provided customised extended safety belts for them with extra red ropes to ensure they remained secure during the flight.