Etihad has signed an extension of its sponsorship arrangement with the Sydney Opera House.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier and said on Wednesday it would remain the Opera Hour’s major partner and opening night presenting partner for the next five years. Etihad would also fly in artists to Sydney for performances at the iconic Australian venue.
The Opera House deal is one of a number of sponsorships the airline has in Australia, which includes Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium, a multi-million dollar partnership with Tourism Australia, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and A-League football club Melbourne City. It also recently signed on as a global partner for the Taste Festival, which included the recent Sydney event and upcoming events in Melbourne and Perth.
Etihad general manager for Australia and New Zealand Sarah Built said the extending the partnership with the Opera House highlighted the airline’s commitment to this market, as well as the arts.
“Together with the five-year, $30 million deal we signed with Tourism Australia last year, it multiplies our efforts to promote travel to Australia and to elevate Sydney’s profile as one of the world’s great tourist and cultural destinations in key markets,” Built said in a statement.
“It also increases our investment in Australia’s cultural sector enabling us to support the programming of arts and entertainment experiences that enrich the lives of local citizens as well as visitors to the city.”
Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron said: “Working closely with Etihad Airways we want to explore how they can best support a more integrated artistic and visitor experience as we prepare the Opera House for future generations.”
Etihad, which is a Virgin Australia alliance partner and shareholder in the Australian carrier, flies twice daily to Sydney and Melbourne, and offers daily flights to Brisbane and Perth from its Abu Dhabi hub.
