The koala carriers will be transformed into a flight-friendly environment with a special kind of eucalyptus bark, fresh leaves and everything else the two special passengers will need on their long flight. 

　'Just as we do for our passengers, we are making every effort to ensure that the koalas just relax in their home in the air,' said K.W. Nieh, senior vice president, EVA Air.  'We have transported koalas to the Taipei Zoo before, and our crews have tremendous experience with precious cargo.  We are going to do everything possible to ensure that these koalas are as happy and comfortable on our flight as they are on the ground.'    
  
　　EVA regular serves its route between Brisbane and Taipei using one of its new Airbus  A330-200s, but for its koala passengers, it is using one of its Boeing B747-400 combis for this flight.  Aboard the combi, the koalas will travel in a carefully controlled cargo cabin located directly behind the passenger cabin.  Here, the koalas will have a roomy, quiet space with lighting and temperature adjusted to accommodate their finicky habits.  Next door, the passengers will travel in their own comfortable environment.  And the koala keepers and veterinarians will be able to move back and forth between the passenger and koala cabins during the flight.
  
　　Making the marsupial homecoming even more heartwarming, EVA and the Tourism Queensland teamed up to invite two young brothers who are growing up in a single-parent household to enjoy a trip to the koala's hometown in Australia.  It is a dream vacation come true for the boys who are traveling abroad together and accompanying the koalas home to Taipei.   The two brothers left Taipei on Oct. 24 and will fly back with the koalas.

       'We are grateful to both EVA Air and the Tourism Queensland,' said Mrs. Chen, the boys' mother.  She added that their father had passed away when the boys were very small and that she has been doing her best to raise them by herself.  This is the first opportunity the boys have had to travel to Australia.  The hospitality from EVA Air and the Tourism Queensland is the best gift the two brothers could imagine.

　　  EVA transported the Taipei Zoo's first two koalas, Harley and Patrick, from Brisbane to Taiwan in 1999.  Not only was this fragile, sensitive cargo a milestone among local carriers but it also established EVA Air as one of only three international carriers worldwide to have successfully transported koalas abroad.

　　In 2001, EVA carried Eva and Ligi, two koala brides, to Taiwan as part of an eagerly anticipated public celebration.  At home in the Taipei Zoo's koala environment, Ligi has given birth to a baby koala.  Pearl and Joey, the koala couple flying EVA this week, will fit right into the thriving koala community.  Pearl and Joey's trip also marks the third time the carrier has transported the rare marsupials from the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to Taiwan within the past five years.  Each time, EVA has transported ensured the koalas' care and comfort, and has played a significant role in the creatures' ability to thrive and breed in the Taipei Zoo.
   
　　EVA is adding flights on its Australian routes, too.  Starting on Oct. 30, it is increasing Taipei - Brisbane flights from two to three per week and in December, adding a fourth weekly flight.  Sydney frequency will also be upped from two to three flights per week in December.

　　And by December, EVA will be using new A330-200s on all of its Australian flights.  Enhanced with state-of-the art cabin comforts and advanced technology, the new aircraft and frequencies will shrink the distance between Australia and Taiwan, making travel between the two an even greater pleasure.