Wheels up for BIE delegation after successful visit to Busan

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Wheels up for BIE delegation after successful visit to Busan

Published: 07 Apr. 2023, 16:38 Updated: 07 Apr. 2023, 17:01

The Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) delegation, after concluding its on-site inspection in Busan, boards a special plane prepared by Air Busan at Gimhae International Airport on Friday morning for their return trip to Incheon. [YONHAP]

BUSAN — The inspection team from Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) left Busan the same way it arrived: like popstars.

The eight-member delegation, dressed in light attire and wearing backpacks, pulled up to Gimhae International Airport around 7:50 a.m. on Friday after wrapping up a six-day on-site inspection to evaluate the port city’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo.

During their departure, a group of university students welcomed the team. Each student held a single picket, which together formed the words "World Expo 2030 Busan, Korea."

A student choir from the World Angel Peace Art Group shook star-shaped sticks and chanted "See you again in Busan" to the inspection team.

"I am proud and consider it a great opportunity that I have personally participated for the inspection team's farewell event,” said 16-year-old Kim Na-hyeon. “I really hope Busan can successfully host the 2030 World Expo.”

The BIE arrives at Busan's Gimhae International Airport on Friday morning, where it was accompanied by a student's choir as they boarded their flight to Incheon. [YONHAP]

Members of the BIE team took out their mobile phones and snapped photos or waved goodbye to the supporters and other people who were waiting for their flight.

“It’s wonderful,” Kevin Isaac, a representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis, told reporters before boarding the flight on Friday.

Air Busan, the hub airline of Busan, took on the role of seeing off the inspection team to Incheon.

On the day of the departure, Air Busan escorted the team to a red carpet.

An omija-shaped brooch given to the BIE delegation on Friday. The meaning is "Let's meet again." [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The crew members then pinned omija brooches, which were handmade by a master artisan of traditional crafts, onto the lapels of the eight team members.

Omija, a Korean herbal tea made from dried magnolia berries, is believed to mean "Let's meet again." It captured the fervent wish of Busan citizens to host the World Expo in 2030 and reunite with the inspection team at the city’s North Port, the proposed site for the international event, Busan City explained.

The delegation team, which took eco-friendly hydrogen buses and learned about the city's sustainable development plan during their stay, also had a dedicated plane designed in an eco-friendly manner for their flight. It was numbered BX2030.

Air Busan's A321neo aircraft, specially wrapped with a message of the city’s bid to host the World Expo, carried the delegation team to Incheon. The plane produces 20 percent lower fuel burn, and its engines can reduce carbon emissions by 5,000 tons annually. Air Busan said it plans to retrofit more of such planes flying abroad in order to further spread the message.

The local carrier prepared the local tastes and scent of Busan for the BIE members to enjoy during the one-hour flight to Incheon.

Specially-prepared snacks by Air Busan for the BIE delegation [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The items offered on the flight, from the food and drinks to the air freshener, were all locally produced in Busan. Among the treats were white bean paste pastries in the shape of camellia, which is the city's flower, and shell-shaped cookies filled with sweet potato paste sourced from Yeongdo, the first region in Korea to cultivate sweet potatoes.

Ahn Byeong-seog, the CEO of Air Busan, said they had put in a lot of effort in preparing for the flight.

"Our flight attendants had undergone separate training for about a week specifically for the in-flight services," Ahn said.

Ahn recalled the atmosphere during the escort was positive.

"One of the delegation members told me Busan is a well-prepared city," the CEO said. "One member said to the flight attendants that they will meet again."

"Patrick Specht, who led the BIE delegation on its on-site inspection, said the whole team had an unforgettable time during their stay here," said Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon. He put the odds of getting the expo at 50-50.

The BIE delegation team receives a farewell, with Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon and Secretary-General of the Busan Expo Bidding Committee Yoon Sang-jik present. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The delegation arrived at Incheon International Airport on Sunday and kicked off their stay with a meeting with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang.

During the visit, the delegation listened to four presentations on the plans for Busan’s proposal to host the Expo and inspected the venues in both Seoul and Busan to assess the level of readiness and enthusiasm for hosting the event.

The delegation team will complete a report on Busan's proposal in May and share the result with the 171 BIE member countries during a general assembly in June.

The final decision will be made in November by a secret ballot.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]