By Mark Baber
June 25 – Delta Air Lines has agreed a new three-year deal with Chelsea as the club’s official airline sponsor, putting the final nails in the coffin of the long rumoured Turkish Airlines tie-up.
US-based Delta, generally reckoned to be the world’s biggest airline thanks to the protected nature of the US domestic market, and Chelsea FC first joined forces in 2012 and will continue that relationship, now that Chelsea have chosen Yokohama Rubber Company as their main sponsor in preference to Turkish Airlines.
Perry Cantarutti, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “Chelsea Football Club and Delta are both winning brands and since the partnership began three years ago, both have gone from strength to strength. We look forward to another three great years and to working with the club in promoting their activities in the United States.”
Chelsea’s Managing Director, Christian Purslow, commented: “We are delighted to be entering into a new phase of our partnership with Delta Air Lines, the world’s biggest airline. Rated by Fortune magazine as one of the world’s most admired companies Delta Air Lines has the profile, reach and reputation which fit perfectly with our strategy of partnering with a small group of world-class companies.
“Over the next three years we look forward to Delta continuing to help us tell Chelsea’s story all over the world, particularly in their home market in America, where they are such an established and recognised presence.”
According to the agreement Delta is the exclusively designated ‘Official Airline Partner of Chelsea FC’ and the agreement gives Delta LED exposure at each home game and on the Chelsea FC website. The Delta logo will also be included on media backboards for interviews conducted at Chelsea’s stadium around Premier League home matches. The Delta 360˚ Lounge will also remain at Stamford Bridge.
Delta flies to 335 destinations across six continents, and alongside partner Virgin Atlantic, operates up to 39 flights a day from the UK to North America. However one destination it will not be flying to this coming winter is the capital of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s original homeland – the route from New York to Moscow is due to be abandoned to fellow SkyTeam member Aeroflot from December.
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