JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad Football Club and Etihad Airways have signed a three-year partnership agreement, naming the Abu Dhabi-based carrier as the official airline partner for the club. The signing ceremony took place at Al-Ittihad FC between Ibrahim Al-Balawi, president of Al-Ittihad FC, and Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' chief commercial officer. Accompanying Baumgartner from Etihad Airways at the ceremony were Hareb Al-Muhairy, senior vice president Corporate and International Affairs, and Patrick Pierce, vice president Sponsorship. Peter 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 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, media conferences, exclusive club events and player appearances. Al-Ittihad FC will use Etihad Airways as its preferred airline when the club and its supporters travel overseas for matches. 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." 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.
