Etihad Airways and Al Ittihad Football Club have held an official signing ceremony in Jeddah, marking the start of the new partnership between the Abu Dhabi-based airline and the Saudi Arabian football club.

The three-year agreement, announced on July 15, 2015, named Etihad Airways as the official airline partner for the Abdul Latif Jameel League club.
The signing ceremony took place at Al Ittihad FC between Al Ittihad FC President Ibrahim Al-Balawi and Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner.

Accompanying Baumgartner from Etihad Airways at the ceremony was Senior Vice President Corporate and International Affairs Hareb Al Muhairy and Vice President Sponsorship Patrick Pierce.

Baumgartner said, “We are delighted to visit Jeddah, the home of Al Ittihad Football Club, and to celebrate this new partnership which has captivated football fans in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East. 

“We were extremely proud to host the club for its visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in September, and this return trip to Jeddah to celebrate the commencement of the partnership with the club’s fans and officials marks another exciting chapter in the cooperation between Etihad Airways and Al Ittihad FC.”

Etihad Airways will continue to activate the partnership with Al Ittihad FC across a number of marketing and communications platforms, including home matches in King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, media conferences, exclusive club events and player appearances. 

Al Ittihad FC will also use Etihad Airways as its preferred airline when the club and its supporters travel overseas for matches, including the Asian Champions League tournament.

Al Ittihad FC President Ibrahim Al-Balawi said, “We are delighted to team up with Etihad Airways. We are confident this partnership will have a positive impact on Al Ittihad FC, because it allows the club to extend its reach outside our home market.

“It will also help the club supporters to travel seamlessly on Etihad Airways’ global network and to enjoy its leading services and premium products.”
Al Ittihad FC plays its home games at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. It has won the Abdul Latif Jameel League on eight occasions and has won the Asian championship three times.

Etihad Airways operates 55 return flights a week between Abu Dhabi and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  including  16 return flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah,19 to Dammam,13  to Riyadh and daily to Madinah.