Emirates Airline clinches spot in The 2010 Ryder Cup Team

Ryder Cup Europe today announced that Emirates, the international carrier of the UAE, will be the Official Airline of The 2010 Ryder Cup to be played at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

Colin Montgomerie, who will captain the European side against a United States team led by Corey Pavin, was in Dubai alongside Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills to unveil the latest “recruit” to Europe’s Team.

The Scot, who has played in five winning Ryder Cup Teams, sealed the partnership with Gary Chapman – President Emirates Group Services and Dnata – at a press conference at Emirates Golf Club.

Montgomerie, expressing his delight at the announcement, said: “I would like to thank Emirates airline for supporting The Ryder Cup, and in particular Team Europe. In just nine short months we will be at the magnificent Celtic Manor Resort, and I am delighted that Emirates will be part of that occasion with us.

“Selection for the Ryder Cup teams will be on the minds of all European and American golfers as we countdown to an event which could define many of their careers. This is an exciting time and I certainly have a huge task on my hands as I attempt to bring the Ryder Cup back to Europe.”

Additionally, both parties were pleased to reveal that Emirates airline will also be an Official Partner of the European Team in 2012 when they travel to Medinah Country Club in Illinois, USA.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, is excited that the airline is involved with the Ryder Cup and said: “As an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, 2010 was always going to be a memorable year for Emirates. It is now going to be even more special with the Ryder Cup marking the crowning moment in our long and successful association with golf.”

Gary Chapman is also looking forward to the tournament and said: “To be part of such a prestigious tournament is a great honour for Emirates and with millions of TV viewers across the globe watching, it is a marvellous opportunity to consolidate our position as a global force in sports sponsorship.”

“The Ryder Cup is the pinnacle event in team golf so it is tremendous to be supporting Colin and his players as the Official Airline in 2010 and as an Official Partner of the European Team in 2012.”

The 2010 Ryder Cup is one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting events of the year, and will attract more than 200,000 golf fans to the City of Newport between 1st and 3rd October, as well as a global television audience of millions.

Hills is delighted to have the airline on board. He said: “We are excited that Emirates has chosen to partner The Ryder Cup and look forward to working with them over the coming tournaments.”

The airline – which in 2010 will travel to 25 European destinations after adding Amsterdam, Prague and Madrid to its network – will be connecting passengers to the 2010 tournament, as well as the 2012 event in Illinois, with San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston and New York also on the Emirates network.

In addition to The Ryder Cup, Emirates will be the Official Airline at 14 other tournaments in 2010 and with nine of them on The European Tour International Schedule, the carrier will be very much part of the race to participate at The Celtic Manor Resort.

For more information about The Ryder Cup, visit www.rydercup.com. To find out more about Emirates and its sports sponsorships, visit www.emirates.com and www.theemiratesgroup.com