Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Emirates ited has announced the renewal of its enduring partnership with Tennis Australia for another five years, extending its role as the Official Airline of the Australian Open until 2029.
This milestone marks a decade of Emirates supporting the Australian Open, highlighting the airline’s ongoing dedication to the nation and its commitment to local sports. Since joining forces with Tennis Australia in 2015, Emirates has remained passionate about enhancing the tennis experience for fans and players alike, creating unforgettable moments during the matches.
Starting in 2025, the partnership will go beyond the Australian Open, aiming to make a meaningful difference in Australian communities. Emirates has joined forces with the Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF) to introduce a fresh initiative as part of the airline’s ‘Force for Good’ programme.
With an investment of $2.25 million over the next five years, the initiative will focus on empowering disadvantaged children and youth by offering them opportunities to engage with tennis.
The programme will be rolled out in five major cities across Australia, targeting underprivileged youth who may otherwise lack access to the sport. Using tennis as a tool to promote physical health and mental wellbeing, the programme aims to provide a sense of belonging and personal growth for young people. The initiative will offer free tennis sessions in a nurturing environment, where participants can develop both sporting abilities and vital life skills like resilience, teamwork, and social engagement. Through this collaboration, Emirates and the ATF hope to break down barriers and open doors to new opportunities, helping disadvantaged youth build brighter futures.
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 and 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.
“This year, our commitment extends beyond the court, with the ‘Force for Good’ programme, which will ensure that local communities have a range of opportunities to get on the court, as well as opening up the sport of tennis to many more people. It also means we will be able to provide education and skills to budding young tennis players, to not only help and inspire them, but also pave the way for future tennis stars in Australia.”
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 of the 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 youth through the power of tennis.”
Emirates proudly holds a prominent position in the tennis world, sponsoring all four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, US Open, Roland Garros (French Open), and Wimbledon. The airline also partners with 60 additional tournaments throughout the year via its collaboration with the ATP. With a global presence, Emirates’ ‘Force for Good’ initiative furthers its impact by supporting community-driven programs in the UK and US, where it has joined forces with the The United States Tennis Association and Wimbledon have partnered to support and uplift local communities.
Connecting the World to Centre Court: Emirates at the Australian Open 2025
Emirates offers tennis fans a seamless, one-stop journey to the Australian Open, flying passengers in comfort from 40 European cities. Travelers can enjoy a unique experience with flights from Melbourne in the early morning, breakfast in Australia, lunch in Dubai, and dinner in Europe.
To celebrate its extensive European network, Emirates will return with its hospitality suite at the Australian Open 2025, spotlighting five iconic European cities: London, Dublin, Rome, Athens, and Paris. The suite will feature a blend of neoclassical European architectural influences and a menu inspired by these top destinations, creating an exclusive atmosphere for celebrities and invited guests.
Emirates continues its sponsorship of the iconic AO Ballpark, which will debut on Kids Tennis Day, January 11.
Designed with an airport theme, the AO Ballpark will offer an array of interactive games, including the Emirates Explorers and Little Traveller zones.
On January 14, Emirates will host Emirates Day, offering #FlyBetterMoments for fans, such as the chance to meet the airline’s renowned Cabin Crew and take a polaroid photo in celebration of the Australian Open partnership.
For tennis enthusiasts traveling aboard Emirates, the award-winning ice inflight entertainment system ensures they won’t miss any action. Live Australian Open matches will be broadcast on Sport 24 throughout the aircraft, including the A380 lounges, as well as in Emirates’ dedicated airport lounges. Emirates flights to and from Australia in January will showcase special Australian Open 2025 branding, including themed menus, coasters, and headrest covers.
Skywards Platinum and Gold members will enjoy exclusive opportunities to experience the action live, with hospitality tickets starting from 30,000 Miles. These tickets will grant access to the heart of the Grand Slam from January 12-21, 2025.
Emirates operates three daily flights between Melbourne and Dubai, including two A380 services, ensuring tennis players and fans alike can connect to the Australian Open in style. The Emirates A380 is renowned for redefining luxury air travel, offering world-class service and comfort that delivers unforgettable experiences to all passengers.
Emirates in Australia
Emirates has been serving Australia for almost 30 years, transporting more than 40 million passengers between its Dubai hub and major Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide..The airline runs 77 weekly return flights to Australia, providing more than 68,000 seats across its five key gateways.. Emirates maintains three daily return services from Dubai to Melbourne and Sydney, two daily flights to Brisbane and Perth, and one daily service to Adelaide.
In addition to passenger services, Emirates plays a vital role in cargo transport to and from Australia, strengthening economic ties and supporting the UAE-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Through its codeshare partnership with Qantas, Emirates extends its network further, offering customers access to over 120 destinations worldwide. Together, the airlines have transported more than 15 million passengers on 543,000 flights over the past decade.