Manchester United today launched its new partnership with Turkish Airlines, the club's official airline partner

Dubai, UAE, 16 March 2010: At the signing ceremony held at Old Trafford, United players Wayne Rooney, Edwin van der Sar, Nani, Ji Sung Park and Darren Fletcher alongside the Club's Chief Executive David Gill, Commercial Director Richard Arnold, Turkish Airlines Chairman Hamdi Topcu, and Co – Chairman Cemal ?anl? revealed details of the sponsorship.

The three-and-a-half year deal will see the airline's fleet livery carry the Manchester United crest as well as other iconic club and player imagery on the airline's fuselage.

Turkish Airlines, Europe's fourth-largest Airline, will transport the Manchester United team and officials to Champions League matches and other tournaments and training camps throughout the world.

The airline will receive a number of rights from the deal including perimeter board advertising at Old Trafford and consumer promotions using the club's intellectual properties.

“The deal with Turkish Airlines is yet another example of the global appeal of Manchester United and we welcome them to the club. They are already proving to be a dynamic and committed partner which will no doubt allow us to further develop the reach of Manchester United and for Turkish Airlines to grow their customer base both in Manchester and worldwide,' said David Gill.

'We have been impressed with Turkish Airlines, who are a creative and ambitious company with very exciting plans to make the most of the comprehensive sponsorship rights, their partnership with the Club brings and we are looking forward to working closely with them,” stated Richard Arnold.

'It is a great honour for Turkish Airlines to be associated with Manchester United as the team's official airline sponsor and I am confident the partnership will make an excellent contribution to our brand value. Like Manchester United, we aim to be the very best in everything we do with first class quality of service in all aspects of our business. We are very excited about the commercial opportunities that the sponsorship will offer the airline working alongside one of the most famous football clubs in the world,” added Hamdi Topcu.
Turkish Airlines, which is a Star Alliance Member and operates a four - star cabin service in all classes within Europe, recently announced plans to expand its fleet to 196 aircraft within the next five years.