ROONEY, RONALDO & RIO SOARS HIGH WITH AIRASIA Manchester United becomes First Football Club in the World with Aircraft Livery

February 04, 2006 (PRLEAP.COM) Business News
For immediate release

ROONEY, RONALDO & RIO SOARS HIGH WITH AIRASIA

Manchester United becomes First Football Club in the World with Aircraft Livery


Kuala Lumpur -AirAsia, Asia's leading and largest low fare airline, has honored Manchester United, one of the most celebrated football clubs in the world, by having one of its aircraft painted in the colors of the club.

The 9M-AFC, or fondly known as the Red Devil Airbus A320, arrived at the KL International Airport at approximately 10.30 am from Toulouse, France. The 180 seater Airbus A320 is emblazoned in signature red, and adorned with images of the club's elite players on both sides of the aircraft's fuselage. The tail and aircraft engines proudly feature the Manchester United Football Club's Crest.

"Manchester United has one of the biggest following in Asia. As the official low fare airline for Manchester United, AirAsia hopes to create opportunities and exciting avenues to reach out and connect with MU's loyal fan base in Asia. As such, it is only befitting that we dedicate the aircraft to all the Manchester United Fans in Asia."
- Dato' Tony Fernandes, Group CEO, AirAsia Berhad

"We are delighted to be the first football club in the world to own our very own aircraft livery. The AirAsia Red Devil Airbus is an epitome of how a dynamic sponsor like AirAsia, can creatively blend art and function into their everyday business. The plane will certainly ensure we're the most well traveled team in Asia."

- Peter Draper, Marketing Director, Manchester United Football Club


Incidentally, the Red Devil Airbus A320 is AirAsia's 3rd Airbus delivery within 2 months. The aircraft would commence servicing Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Surabaya, Indonesia, beginning 3rd February 2006.


Featured on the Red Devil Airbus A320:

Sir Alex Ferguson
Park Ji Sung
Wayne Rooney
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Cristiano Ronaldo
Alan Smith
Rio Ferdinand

AirAsia is Asia’s leading and largest low fare airline with a growing route network of over 60 destinations in nine countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Macau, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines) across the region.
Launched in 2001, AirAsia has pioneered and revolutionised air travel in Asia by providing incredibly low fares so more people can fly.


For AIRASIA related media enquiries, please call +603 8660 4333 or :

In Malaysia:
Jeamie Lee,
Senior Executive – Publicity & Promotions
+603 8660 4000
jeamielee@airasia.com
Lim Su Ching
Marketing Director
+603 8660 4027
limsuching@airasia.com