Air New Zealand has renewed its sponsorship deal with the country’s iconic All Blacks rugby union national team.
The extension is for five years, running through until 2020, and makes Air New Zealand the official airline of the All Blacks and All Blacks Sevens. Financial terms of the new contract with the New Zealand Rugby governing body were not disclosed.
Air New Zealand has sponsored rugby in its homeland for more than two decades and first partnered the All Blacks in 1998.
Under the new deal, it also becomes the primary sponsor of the children’s Rippa Rugby National Championships.
New Zealand faces Samoa in Apia on Wednesday, marking the first time it will play a Test match on the Pacific Island. Air New Zealand will supply a charter flight, giving fans the chance to fly with the team, and celebrate the occasion with an All Blacks community day and parade in Apia on Tuesday.