Horizon Air to unveil Griz-themed airplane

10/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | General

Horizon Air recently announced it will begin flying a maroon and silver University of Montana-themed airplane to and from Missoula this November.

Horizon will paint the 76-seat Q400 turboprop aircraft with UM???s colors and logos next month and unveil it Friday, Nov. 19, at Missoula International Airport.

The plane already is scheduled to be repainted, so the new look will be provided at no cost to the University or Horizon.

???We appreciate Horizon Air taking the initiative to do this,??? said Jim Foley, UM executive vice president. ???Not only is the design of the plane beautiful, it???s a flying billboard for UM.???

An unveiling event is planned for University of Montana (at Missoula International Airport/Johnson-Bell Field) on Nov. 19. Specific times and event information will be released when finalized.

Horizon Air serves 45 cities throughout the western U.S. and Canada, as well as Alaska. The airline began service to and from Missoula in 1986.