MADRID: Emirates Airline is joining a host of starsat Real Madrid by adding the revered Spanish football team to itsimpressive sponsorship portfolio.
The deal, announced at a press conference today at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, sees Emiratesbecome a Partner and Official Airline to the world's most successfulfootball club. With the aid of top players like Alfredo Di Stefano,Emilio Butrague?o, Raul Gonzalez, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, DavidBeckham and now Cristiano Ronaldo, Kak? and Casillas, amongst others,Real Madrid have clinched 31 La Liga titles, 18 Copa Del Rey trophiesand have conquered the UEFA Champions League a record nine times. Florentino Perez, President of Real Madrid, said: "Emirates is aworld-renowned company that has always respected and valued sport. Theairline shares our belief in loyalty, effort, commitment andinnovation and these common principles will create a specialunderstanding. We strongly believe this is a strategic alliancebridging us with our many followers all over the world." "Adding Real Madrid to our European football sponsorship line-up further enhances asuperb list of European teams that we support including Arsenal, HSV,PSG, AC Milan and Olympiacos," said Sheikh Ahmed binSaeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline andGroup. "Having launched flights to Madrid on 1st August last year,this is a tremendous way for Emirates to mark the first anniversary ofthe route, while demonstrating our on-going support to sports andsports followers around the world," added Salem Obaidalla, Emirates'Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & RussianFederation. Obaidalla was present for the announcement in Madrid,along with Boutros Boutros, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Real Madrid President,Florentino Perez. The entire first team also joined the event. Thesponsorship deal, over five seasons, gives Emirates internationalbrand visibility at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and Real MadridCity, as well as promotional and hospitality rights worldwide. Asidefrom European football club sponsorships, Emirates is also an OfficialPartner of the FIFA World Cup , the Official Airline of 12 golftournaments internationally and supports a range of high-profile horseracing, tennis, rugby, sailing, and cricket events across the globe. Emirates flies daily to Madrid, using an Airbus 340-300. EK141 departsDubai at 0750hrs and arrives in Madrid at 1345hrs. EK 142 leavesMadrid at 1525hrs and gets into Dubai at 0030hrs the following day.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.
