EK flies high with WGC-HSBC Champions

Shanghai, China, 4th November 2009 - EK airlines, as the Official Airline of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions 2009, is ready for take off at Asia’s first WGC event, which will be held at the Sheshan Golf Club, Shanghai. US$7 million has fixed the eyes of seven of the world’s top-10 golf stars, including world number one Tiger Woods, former winners of the HSBC Champions Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson and Yang Yong-Eun, as well as Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey and Geoff Ogilvy. The championship is the start of a busy year of golf sponsorships for the Dubai-based international airline. In addition to its partnership with the HSBC Champions, Emirates is the Official Airline to a further 12 tournaments, including the Barclays Singapore Open, Australian Open Championship, Thailand Open, Hong Kong Open, the Australian PGA Championship, Dubai Desert Classic, Malaysian Open, Volvo China Open, BMW International Open, Austrian Open, Hero Honda Indian Open and the Dubai Ladies Masters. “Emirates is delighted to be part of the WGC-HSBC Champions 2009, which has attracted a world-class line-up of golfers including Tiger Woods, said Edwin Lau, Emirates Vice President, Greater China. “As the name suggests, World Golf Championships are played all around the - just like Emirates vast network spanning six continents. Golf sponsorships offer Emirates the opportunity to strengthen our brand awareness and receive international exposure. Golf is a lifestyle preference for many of our passengers and our sponsorship of international golfing events allows us to share and support their interest in the game. Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship, HSBC Holdings, added: “Emirates firm support of the HSBC Champions for second successive year is further proof that the world’s local bank is achieving its aim of bringing world’s top golf events to Asia. “One glance at their sponsorship portfolio whether it’s their Official Partner status with the 2010 FIFA World Cup or the cricket and rugby world cups, or their sponsorship of football teams like Arsenal, AC Milan and Paris St Germain shows that they only associate themselves with the best sports properties in the world. During the tournament, EK airlines be prominent in the course and run a number of promotions in the public area to give spectators the opportunity to win flights to Dubai. Skywards, Emirates frequent flyer programme, is offering golf fans the chance to win 200,000 Skywards Miles - equivalent to two Business Class return tickets to Dubai, with participants required to guess the number of golf balls in a travel pack. Spectators can also try their luck at the “Longest Putt competition where they will have another chance to win a Business Class ticket to the golf capital of the Middle East. Through Emirates Closest-to-the-Pin challenge during the Pro-Am, donations to Project Hope give amateur golfers yet another opportunity to win Business Class return tickets to Dubai. Emirates has more to offer. At the silent auction located at the Emirates booth, all spectators can bid for a range of Emirates merchandise signed by sports stars, including “Fly Emirates T-shirts and caps, golf ball packs, golf towels, gym bags, and an A380 aircraft model. Last prices of the day win and all proceeds will again go to Project Hope. In addition to golf, Emirates sponsors a number of other sports properties, including; FIFA, as an Official Partner; high-profile football teams like Arsenal, Paris Saint German, Hamburger SV, AC Milan and Olympiacos; ICC, as an Official Partner; the IRB as a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2011; while it also supports leading horse races around the world. The airline also extends its support of golf to passengers by allowing them to check in a set of golf clubs free of charge - in addition to their normal checked baggage allowance - in any class of service on all Emirates flights. Emirates connects China and Dubai with 13 and 12 weekly passenger services from Shanghai and Beijing respectively, a daily service from Guangzhou, twice-daily service from Hong Kong and seven dedicated freighter services every week from Shanghai. Emirates has received more than 400 international awards in recognition of its efforts to provide unsurpassed levels of customer service since its launch in 1985. With a fleet of over a 130 modern, wide-bodied aircraft, the airline currently flies to 101 destinations in six continents, from its international hub of Dubai.