The first tennis grand slam of the calendar year, the Australian Open has announced a partnership renewal with one of the two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirates.
The pact extension has enabled Emirates to be the official airline of the Australian Open until 2029. The current year has marked a decade of their long-term association.
The agreement enhancement will also include making an impact on local communities in need. The two parties involved have collaborated on an initiative sponsored by Emirates’ ‘Force for Good’ program. For the time span of five years, Emirates will be investing $2.25 million in this initiative.
The program will be conducted throughout five key Australian cities, focusing on youngsters and children from poor backgrounds who may have the least opportunity to indulge in tennis.
Australian Open Tournament Director and Tennis Australia CEO, Craig Tiley said, “We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with Emirates, which has been a cornerstone of the Australian Open and Tennis Australia for more than a decade.”
“This renewed commitment reinforces the vital role Emirates plays in connecting our players, people and events to the rest of the world.
“We are especially pleased to announce the new Emirates’ Force for Good initiative, which alongside the Australian Tennis Foundation, will provide opportunities and support for disadvantaged young people across the country.”
Executive Director, Australian Tennis Foundation, Vicki Reid said, “We are excited to join forces with Emirates to support social impact initiatives across Australia.”
“The multi-year partnership will uplift and support tens of thousands of disadvantaged young people through the power of tennis.”
Emirates’ Divisional Vice President Australasia, Barry Brown said, “Our five-year renewal with Tennis Australia on top of an existing decade-long partnership is another demonstration of Emirates’ longstanding commitment to Australia, in line with almost three decades of service since our inaugural flight to Melbourne.
“We’re proud to work with Tennis Australia to connect incredible players to fans both globally and on the ground in Australia. The Australian Open is an event that sits at the cornerstone of Australia’s sporting calendar, and we are excited to provide fans with unique experiences for the next edition and in the years ahead.”
One of the flag carriers of the UAE, Emirates was founded in March 1985 and is currently headquartered in Garhoud, Dubai. The airline was founded by Maurice Flanagan and is a subsidiary of the Emirates Group.
Australian Open is held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and is conducted before the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. The forthcoming edition of the Australian Open will be played between Sunday, January 12 2025 – Sunday, January 26 2025.