Oman Air signs sponsorship with Chelsea FC

Reuters/Matthew Childs

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Oman Air has signed a three-year sponsorship deal to become the global airline partner of English Premier League football club Chelsea.

The sultanate’s flag carrier is looking to capitalise on Chelsea’s international following.

The partnership will include co-branded livery, joint promotional content and corporate social responsibility campaigns.

Financial details around the deal were not disclosed.

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Abdulaziz Al Raisi, CEO of Oman Air, said the agreement offered “an unparalleled opportunity” to show Oman to the world.

The national carrier, which has a fleet of 50 aircraft and marked its 30th anniversary this year, operates a daily flight to London Heathrow Airport.

Chelsea came eighth in the latest edition of the Deloitte Football Money League, generating £486.5 million in revenue from the 2021-22 season.

“We have a shared ambition for innovation and success both on and off the pitch, and we’re excited to bring this partnership to life for our fans around the world,” Chelsea CEO Chris Jurasek said.

Chelsea was bought by a consortium led by Los Angeles Dodgers parent-owner American Todd Boehly last May in a deal reported to be worth £4.25 billion.

They have since spent over £300 million on new players, but had four different managers and finished 12th at the end of the season.

Oman Air is the latest Middle East company to enter the English Premier League market.

Abu Dhabi United Group is majority owner of Manchester City, Saudi Arabia’s PIF owns Newcastle United, and Dubai airline Emirates sponsors Arsenal.

Last month Emirates also announced a sponsorship deal with Tunisian sports club Etoile Sportive du Sahel, which has teams across a number of sports including football, basketball, volleyball and handball.

It was also revealed last month that German football club Bayern Munich was not renewing its £50 million five-year sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways.

Oman Air has had a decade-long sponsorship deal with the sultanate’s national football association.

It also supports Oman Sail, Oman Golf Association, Oman Desert Marathon and Oman’s Paralympic team.