Manchester United (NYSE:MANU) has today announced a five-year
partnership with Aeroflot. The Moscow-based international airline will
become the Club’s Official Carrier.
This partnership marks the Club’s first commercial venture in Russia -
an expanding market it is keen to explore further and where it has close
to 18 million followers.
Announced at a ceremony at United’s Old Trafford stadium today,
Aeroflot’s CEO Vitaly Saveliev and Manchester United’s Group Managing
Director, Richard Arnold were joined by team manager, David Moyes and
the first team squad, to celebrate the partnership.
Founded in 1923, Aeroflot is Russia’s leading airline, having recently
won ‘Best Airline in Eastern Europe’ at the SKYTRAX World Airline
Awards. Its latest accolades include the ‘Most Stylish Airline’ award by
Skyscanner as well as Russia’s ‘Company of the Year 2012’.
As the Official Carrier of Manchester United, Aeroflot will provide the
English Premier League champions with strategic advice on travel for the
team and club representatives.
Aeroflot has 137 planes and one of the youngest fleets in Europe, with
an average age of five to six years and in 2012, the Group provided an
outstanding travel experience to its 27.5 million passengers. Each of
its luxury aircraft features comfortable seating as well as
award-winning on-board menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs. As a
member of SkyTeam global airline alliance, Aeroflot and its partners
provide services to more than 1000 destinations in 178 countries and
offer the shortest route between Europe and Asia, via Moscow.
Manchester United’s Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold comments:
"Manchester United and Aeroflot share several core values and we are
pleased to be welcoming such a high quality company as a sponsor. Like
the Club, Aeroflot demonstrates team work, quality and a pride in its
heritage, whilst still embracing new technologies and innovation.
"Aeroflot is celebrating its 90th birthday this year, but has already
impressed us with its youthful energy. We look forward to developing a
meaningful partnership with them and reaching our fans in innovative and
rewarding ways."
About Manchester United
Manchester United is one of the most popular and successful sports teams
in the world, playing one of the most popular spectator sports on Earth.
Through our 135-year heritage we have won 61 trophies, enabling us to
develop the world’s leading sports brand and a global community of 659
million followers. Our large, passionate community provides Manchester
United with a worldwide platform to generate significant revenue from
multiple sources, including sponsorship, merchandising, product
licensing, new media & mobile, broadcasting and match day.
Copyright Business Wire 2013