DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) has announced a partnership of three seasons with Al Ahli Football Club in Saudi Arabia, as official club sponsor.
In the presence of Prince Fahd bin Khaled bin Abdullah, Chairman of the club, and Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Honorary Member of the club, Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive, QA, announced the partnership and the reasons behind the collaboration, at a press conference yesterday.
Prince Fahd said: “The club is renowned for its pioneering role in the promotion of sports in Saudi Arabia. Our partnership with QA will support us in our continued journey to be the best in the kingdom, and beyond.”
“Since 1937, the club has not only launched the careers of many notable footballers, but has also brought people closer to enjoy the beautiful game,” said Prince Faisal.
Al Baker said, “Since its inception 77 years ago, the club has represented a key pillar in the community in Saudi Arabia. Like Qatar, Saudi Arabia has a long heritage of sporting excellence, and we are pleased to be supporting our neighbours as they use sport to strengthen their communities with the positive foundation sport provides.
“QA has long developed strong ties with Saudi Arabia, operating flights to seven key destinations, not to mention the exciting advent in the New Year of the launch of our brand new Saudi Arabian based airline, Al Maha Airways.”
QA operates 86 flights per week to Saudi Arabia — Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Gassmin, Ta’if and Al Hofuf.
Al Maha Airways is to begin operating in the Saudi Arabian market in the New Year and will initially use a fleet of A320-200 aircraft between Jeddah and Riyadh, before expansion to further domestic routes across the kingdom.
QA has seen rapid growth in 17 years as flies a modern fleet of 137 aircraft to 144 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.
It was awarded three accolades at Skytrax Awards 2014: World’s Best Business Class, Best Middle East Airline, and Best Business Class Lounge. It has also been named Airline of the Year by Skytrax, Air Transport News, and Business Aviation, and won Best Business Class and Best Airline for International Travel at the Business Travel Awards. The Peninsula
