Representatives from Qatar Airways and Sydney Swans at the sponsorship announcement at Sydney Cricket Ground
Sydney Swans deal is Qatar Airways’ first major sports sponsorship in Australia, a reflection of the airline’s firm commitment to the Australian market
SYDNEY, Australia, 2016-Aug-24 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways has marked its first foray into the Australian Football League (AFL) with a three-year sponsorship of the Sydney Swans, signing with the team until the end of the 2019 season.
The multiple-award winning carrier was named Official International Airline Partner earlier today at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, home of the Sydney Swans. Officials in attendance included: Qatar Airways Country Manager for Australasia, Mr. Adam Radwanski; Sydney Swans Chairman Mr. Andrew Pridham; Chief Executive and Managing Director Mr. Andrew Ireland; Coach John Longmire; Co-captain Kieren Jack; and members of the Sydney Swans team.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways has long supported some of the best sports clubs and events in the world. We strongly believe in connecting with our global travellers through their passion for sport, and have been looking for the right partner for Qatar Airways in Australia’s sports arena.
“Since we first started serving Australia in 2009, Qatar Airways has received tremendous support from the Australian community. This partnership with Sydney Swans, one of the country’s best-supported and most elite sporting teams, is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to Australia. We look forward to sharing in our travellers’ love for football, supporting their commitment to the Sydney Swans and in building an even stronger brand connection with our Australian market through this multi-year partnership.”
Sydney Swans chairman Mr. Andrew Pridham said, “Qatar Airways is a global brand and leader in international air travel, so we’re delighted to have them join the Sydney Swans as our Official International Airline Partner.
“Both organisations share a common goal in that we are passionate about delivering premium experiences and strive for excellence in everything we do. This is a significant partnership for our football club and, as the airline’s own brand message suggests, we’re excited to be going places together. We look forward to welcoming Qatar Airways to our Sydney Swans family and working with them in the years to come.”
As part of the sponsorship deal, Qatar Airways will receive prominent branding at the Sydney Swans’ home games and training ground, and will engage the players in exclusive marketing and promotional activities. Supporters can also look forward to an enhanced match day experience at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the seasons to come.
The Sydney Swans sponsorship marks a new milestone for Qatar Airways in Australia. The airline has doubled its footprint in Australia in 2016, with Sydney and Adelaide joining its global network in March and May respectively, joining Perth and Melbourne on the Qatar Airways map. Australian travellers can now go more places with Qatar Airways than with any other airline serving Australia today.
Notes to Editors
For images please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/albums
About Qatar Airways:
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was awarded World’s Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East at the prestigious 2016 World Airline Awards managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ inflight entertainment system offers passengers up to 3,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 as well as select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways is one of the world’s leaders in sponsoring global sporting events, including the strategic team sponsorships of FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC. Qatar Airways’ strategy reflects the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally on 190 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes eight Airbus 330Fs, 10 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747 freighters.
Visit our homepage www.qatarairways.com or our sites on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and YouTube.
For Qatar Airways corporate images, please click here: http://www.qatarairways.com/corporateimages
About Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is the oldest and largest AFL club in Sydney.
The Swans have the largest membership base of any sporting team in Sydney with more than 56,600 members, meanwhile according to Repucom research, it’s estimated that up to one million people in Australia identify as Sydney Swans supporters.
Established in 1874 as the South Melbourne Football Club, the Swans relocated to Sydney in 1982 and made their home at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Swans play 11 home games at the SCG each year as part of the AFL’s 23-round premiership season.
Over the course of the Club’s history, the Sydney Swans have won five VFL/AFL premierships: 1909, 1918, 1933, 2005 and 2012. The Swans have made the finals in 17 of the past 20 years, making them one of the most consistent sporting teams over the past two decades.
Sydney Swans is an iconic brand with core values of honesty, respect, team, accountability, persistence and enjoy.
Visit the website: www.sydneyswans.com.au or follow the Sydney Swans on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
SOURCE: Qatar Airways