Papal airline for pilgrims launched

BY ROBERT VAN EGGHEN
POPE BENEDICT XVI has followed in the steps of Stelios Haji-Ioannou and Richard Branson and launched his own short-haul airline.
The Vatican-based Mistral Air embarks on its first flight later this month from Rome to Lourdes. That flight is already fully booked_ Mistral Air should soon be ferrying holidaymakers to other sites of religious importance around the globe, such as the shrine of Fatima in Portugal and the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.
Once on board passengers will be able to enjoy comfy headrests adorned with the airline's maxim: "I'm searching for your • face, Lord."
The airline aims to offer "urgency and efficiency on all the in-flight operations".
It is uncertain how the news will sit with enviromentalists who oppose short-haul flights, many of whom have applauded the Pope in recent months for his promotion of the green cause.
They have been impressed by Pope Benedict's use of an electric-powered popemobile and the Vatican's plans to run on solar power.
For more information on the new airline, visit www.mistralainit.
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