Emirates, the Dubai-based award-winning international airline announced that it was extending its support of football around the world by becoming a sponsor of AC Milan, one of the most successful football clubs in the world.
Milan, current holders of the UEFA Champions League, have been crowned European champions seven times, have won 17 international titles and on the domestic front, have won the Serie A title on 17 occasions.
Emirates signed the three-year sponsorship deal at the Milan training ground and the familiar “Fly Emirates” signage will now be displayed at Milan’s San Siro stadium.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide said: “It is very exciting for Emirates to partner the current champions of Europe. Emirates has always had a great affinity with the game and this sponsorship extends our support of football across another country. We look forward to an exciting season ahead and wish Milan the best of luck.”
Adriano Galliani, Milan vice-president and managing director, said: “For us it is a very important
partnership. We are really proud that Emirates chose Milan as the ideal partner to strengthen its presence in our country. This partnership underlines the support that Emirates gives to
football around the world.”
In addition to the support of Milan, Emirates is an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup with close links to FIFA and all its projects in the 2007-2014
period. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Emirates became the first airline to be an Official Partner of the world’s premier football tournament.
In 2004, Emirates and Arsenal Football Club signed the biggest club sponsorship in English football history – in addition to the Fly Emirates logo on the players’ shirts, Emirates also has the naming rights of their new home, the Emirates Stadium. Emirates also sponsors Paris Saint Germain Football Club and Hamburger SV.
Emirates currently flies to 93 destinations in 59
countries which includes daily flights to Rome, Milan and Venice. Launched in July, the non-stop service from Venice to Dubai is one of the newest on the network. This year, in addition to Venice, Emirates has launched services to Newcastle in England and will be launching flights to Houston in the USA, Toronto in Canada, Ahmedabad in India and Sao Paulo in Brazil.
Emirates flies five times weekly from Dubai to Malta via Larnaca in Cyprus, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on the Boeing 777-200.