Lufthansa lands Frankfurt deal to disrupt flight paths of Middle Eastern airlines

Eintracht Frankfurt is eyeing an expanded sponsorship deal with German airline Lufthansa. The deal could generate revenues of about €5 million for the football club over the next five years. 

Eintracht and Lufthansa launched cooperation in August 2008. Since then, the airline has been sponsoring the family sector at the club's Commerzbank-Arena. Lufthansa also acquired its own VIP zone and business seats, and has advertising inventory at the stadium in Frankfurt.

The new deal is expected to significantly broaden the scope of the collaboration between Eintracht and the airline. In addition to the funds, Lufthansa is to provide free transportation services to the Frankfurt-based side.

With the latest move, Lufthansa is reportedly aiming to prevent further expansion into German sports by rival airlines from the Middle East, following talks held by officials from Eintracht and local businessmen in Abu Dhabi.

Among other clubs competing in the German Bundesliga, rival side Hamburger SV is currently sponsored by the Dubai-based Emirates airline.

The deal has not been confirmed by Lufthansa. However, an official offer is to be submitted this week, the newspaper said.

Eintracht won the German championship in 1959. The club's Commerzbank-Arena has a capacity of some 51,500, including 42,200 seats.

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Lufthansa: “Best European Airline serving the Middle East”

Lufthansa proved that it is the best among the best after clinching the “Best European Airline serving the Middle East” title during the gala ceremony of the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2014 on the eve of the Arabian Travel Market 2014 in Dubai. The magazine holds its prestigious awards based on independent polls from readers in the Middle East. 

“To receive this award is a tremendous honour for us as it expresses the trust of our customers to our company, product and services.  We are proud having a long history of operations in the Middle East since our first flight landed here in 1960”, said Karsten Zang, General Manager UAE and Director Gulf and Pakistan. 

“We have set ourselves a number of objectives for 2014 – it will be Lufthansa’s biggest service initiative in recent years. As well as installing the latest cabins in all classes of our aircraft, which is already proceeding apace, we will also be demonstrating to an even greater degree our qualities as a dedicated host with a keen understanding of service and hospitality,” added Zang. 

“We thank Business Traveller Middle East for spearheading this objective initiative which is helpful for like-minded travellers and those who are planning to go on an adventure.  Our passengers in the Middle East know that Lufthansa offers more connections to Europe, North America and beyond than any other carrier,” concluded Zang. 

No stranger to awards, Lufthansa’s products enjoy a strong recognition worldwide. Not only has there been excellent feedback from top customers in the few months since it was introduced, it has also received major awards. Lufthansa’s First Class and its range of services were awarded 5 stars in the Skytrax star ranking, while the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS) presented its International 5 Star Diamond Award to Europe’s leading airline. These awards promise passengers an outstanding travel experience, since five stars are synonymous with top quality, first-class comfort and personal service. And this will soon be the case not just in First Class, but throughout the Lufthansa range.

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