Qatar Airways has expanded its football sponsorship portfolio after entering into an agreement to become the main commercial partner of Saudi Professional League club Al-Ahli.
The deal will run for three years, from the current 2014-15 season through 2016-17.
Under the agreement, Qatar Airways branding will appear on the front of Al-Ahli players’ jerseys.
Qatar Airways also has similar deal in place with Barcelona, with the airline’s branding featuring on the front of the Spanish Liga club’s shirts.
Jeddah-based Al-Ahli finished third in the 2013-14 Saudi Professional League.
Qatar Airways currently operates 86 flights per week to seven destinations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, namely, Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Gassmin, Ta’if and Al Hofuf.
Its Al Maha Airways division is set to begin operating in the Saudi Arabian market in the New Year and will initially use a fleet of A320-200 aircraft for operations between Jeddah and Riyadh, before expansion to further domestic routes across the Kingdom.