Aeroflot Russian Airlines announced that it has become an official carrier of Manchester United Football Club.
Manchester United unveiled a new partnership with the Russian airline on July 8 at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United. As RIA Novosti says, it is the first time that the Russian company signed a commercial deal with a foreign football club.
The agreement came into force on July 1. Aeroflot will provide consultation on the squad transportation and carry the sportsmen as appropriate. Moreover, the company will soon add a Manchester United branded plane to its fleet. The Moscow-based airline Aeroflot took over its new status from Turkish Airlines.
Earlier, the British media wrote that Manchester United footballers shall not be obliged to fly with Aeroflot as the latter does not offer flights around Europe without landing in the Russian Federation.
Aeroflot has also been the title sponsor of Russian CSKA Professional Football Club Moscow. The sponsorship contract worth $5 million was made for 2012-2013. In July 2012, Aeroflot signed a $9 million sponsorship deal with the CSKA club.