Fiji’s National Airline, Fiji Airways has announced their exclusive airline sponsorship of the BNZ Crusaders at an event in Christchurch earlier today.
The announcement was made in the run-up to the Crusaders versus Chiefs home game this Saturday.
Managing Director and CEO Fiji Airways Andre Viljoen says they are delighted to announce their association with the Crusaders and to be their official airline.
Viljoen says this announcement builds on the strong relationship that Fijians have with both rugby and New Zealanders.
He says that New Zealand is Fiji Airways’ second largest market and Christchurch is a key growth market for them.
Viljoen says they have demonstrated their commitment by increasing flights to three times a week, and now they have furthered this commitment by partnering with one of the proudest and most successful teams in the Super Rugby competition.
Fiji Airways has negotiated the exclusive airline partnership until 2020, and will benefit from significant marketing and branding rights during this time.
BNZ Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach says the new partnership was a great fit for both organisations, with strong links between the Crusaders and Fiji already existing:
Riach says the Crusaders have a really strong support base in Fiji, and when they get the opportunity to travel and play here, the boys love meeting the friendly Fijian fans.
He says the Crusaders have had a number of much‑loved Fijian players in the team over the years, including Paula Bale, Vilimoni Delasau, Tabai Matson, Marika Vunibaka and Nemani Nadolo, and this year they have three Fijian players in the squad in Jone Macilai, Seta Tamanivalu and Manasa Mataele.
When asked on the value of the sponsorship and how it will work, Fiji Airways says the value is confidential to the parties but it will be a mix of both in exchange for significant branding opportunities, apart from the back of the training jersey spot.
These include use of players for Fiji Airways purposes, signage at the games, joint campaigns, just to name a few.
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