The view of the festival from the KLM cockpit
KLM Captain Bas chats with fans
Crew pics
Family creations
Who says airports aren’t fun and engaging places these days?
What? Everybody? Oh... right...
Well YYZ turned that premise on its nose with its 4th annual Street Fest last weekend as thousands of airport and aircraft enthusiasts were welcomed onto the tarmac to engage with those who run Pearson and have the opportunity to get very close to some very big flying machines.
With all of the lining up, processing and patting down that goes on at airports these days, not to mention the ever present comings and goings of aircraft those in the GTA hear every day, Pearson has created a special event to give their neighbours a different view of their operations – right from the middle of the tarmac. Bus loads of families are shuttled out to a specially created festival on the tarmac - in the midst of normal flight operations taxiing, taking off and landing all around them - to enjoy some fun, treats and to engage with the people working at Canada’s busiest airport.
Nobody takes better advantage of the YYZ Street Fest than KLM’s Station Manager and defacto PR wiz Karan Deswal. KLM took centre stage at several points during the festivities as their just arrived MD11 was towed out to midfield during the event – with crew and passenger handling staff aboard. As KLM’ers deplaned they were welcomed to the festival like celebrities with cheers and applause and began handing out aircraft models and hats to many enthusiastic kids and adults.
In fact, I think the KLM crew enjoyed Street Fest at least as much as the kids and locals as they posed for photos and took many of their own pics from a vantage even they don’t often enjoy.
Another highlight of the afternoon (as at any worthy travel event) was the prize draw! Ensuring their starring festival status, KLM offered all attendees the opportunity to be in a draw for many more KLM and Air France aircraft models as well as a grand prize of 2 free tickets to Amsterdam.
The crowds also enjoyed the opportunity to board some of the aircraft on display and to engage in activities at a variety of displays. The very chilly temperatures, occasional rain and strong winds didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits.
So there... airports can be fun!
You won’t want to miss YYZ Street Fest next year because by then you’ll likely need reminding of that elusive fun factor.
Station Manager Karan Deswal at left making the grand prize
draw from the Street Fest stage with crew and YYZ staff all
helping out.
