Emirates flies delegates to fifa congress
Emirates, as the Official Airline of FIFA, flew a large number of the FIFA delegates from around the world to Sydney for the 58th FIFA Congress, taking place on 29th and 30th May 2008 in Sydney. Once a year, the 208 member associations of the world governing body of football assemble at the FIFA Congress, which is the supreme and legislative body of FIFA.
Emirates, the award-winning Dubai-based international airline, provided a dedicated aircraft for the use of the FIFA delegates, who flew in from across the globe to join the flight in Dubai.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “As the Official Airline of FIFA, it is an honour for Emirates to be able to provide one of our aircraft for the sole purpose of flying the FIFA delegation to Sydney for this very important congress. Emirates, as the only airline in the world to currently fly non-stop to six continents from its home base, has been able to offer the delegates an easy travel option to Australia via Dubai.”
“With our partner Emirates we can provide our delegates coming from all corners of the world on this long haul trip a relaxing and seamless journey with world-class services in the air and on the ground. We would like to thank Emirates Airline for their great support and all the huge efforts made to not only get our members comfortable to Sydney but also to make them feel welcome on their stop-over in Dubai,” said FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke.
Emirates is an Official Partner to FIFA and all its projects and tournaments until 2014 among them the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ Emirates became the first airline to be an Official Partner of the world's premier football tournament.
Emirates’ other involvement in football includes the sponsorship of Arsenal Football Club and the naming rights to the Emirates Stadium, the club’s new home. Emirates also sponsors Hamburger SV, Paris Saint Germain and AC Milan.
Emirates’ sponsorship portfolio also includes rugby, cricket, golf, horse racing and tennis.