Six years ago, Brussels Airlines launched its first Belgian Icon with a single hand-painted aircraft, in collaboration with Moulinsart studio, which owns the rights to the works of Hergé, the pen name of writer Georges Remi, the creator of Tintin.

The aircraft was covered in a 37m long black shark based on the original drawing by Hergé.

According to the airline, the Belgian Icon series is one of many ways the airline wants to show ambassadorship for its country.

As Rackham – which is still one of the most photographed planes in the world – has reached its repainting deadline, Moulinsart and Brussels Airlines agreed to prolong their partnership and restore the aircraft painting in its original state.

The airline said in a release that while the painting on the outside will remain almost identical, the interior of the aircraft will be upgraded with more Tintin illustrations by the hand of Hergé.