Qatar Airways launched its three-year partnership with FC Barcelona at Camp Nou yesterday. The partnership took effect from July 1 this year. The CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker, the President of FC Barcelona, Sandro Rosell, and Vice President of FC Barcelona Economic and Strategy Area, Javier Faus, were present.
DOHA: Qatar Airways launched its three-year partnership with FC Barcelona at an event held yesterday at Camp Nou.
The airline’s partnership with FCB took effect from July 1 this year.
In attendance were the CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker, the President of FC Barcelona, Sandro Rosell and Vice President of FC Barcelona Economic and Strategy Area, Javier Faus.
“The joining of FCB and Qatar Airways is truly history in the making. It is the first time we enter into such a landmark, significant sports partnership,” said Al Baker.
“We understand the importance of FCB to Catalonia, to Spain, and in fact — to every country around the world. It is a great honour to be standing side by side as you create and spread the excitement that this great game of football brings to fans.”
Al Baker also spoke about the airline’s expansive communications campaign about the partnership that will cover various elements. “Our aim with this new campaign is to show to the world how strongly we stand behind this new partnership, which we will share with passengers across our entire network.”
He said the partnership was “a fitting match for both organisations that share the same values: the pursuit of excellence, passion, pride and culture.”
“This partnership will also raise Qatar Airways and FC Barcelona to a new platform internationally, bringing the fans of FCB closer together,” he added.
Qatar Airways began operating to Spain in December 2005 and currently flies 10-times-weekly to Barcelona and daily to Madrid.
FC Barcelona football club President Sandro Rosell said: “We have a long journey ahead lasting three years in which we will share experiences, with a common starting point and goals. Barça and Qatar Airways are united by many ideals, such as a passion to be better each day, the conviction that the human factor makes a difference and the integration of different cultures, but I would emphasise the desire we have to connect with people. And this desire leads us to want to be every day closer to our fans.”
Since its beginnings, FC Barcelona has been characterised by being not just a football organisation, but also a powerful force for globalisation, solidarity, integration and social cohesion. Qatar Airways fully identifies with these values, which is why this partnership between both organisations is much more than just a simple economic alliance. Furthermore, Qatar Airways’ partnership with FC Barcelona will help to position the airline in the world.
Qatar Airways will work with FC Barcelona to create joint initiatives and will especially focus on connecting with the club’s fans and also with underprivileged children to spread the love of the game to all corners of the globe.
The Peninsula
