POSTED: Thursday October 22nd 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

QANTAS LINES UP FOR SOCCEROOS

Aircraft serves as good luck message ahead of the 2010 World Cup

MELBOURNE, 22 OCTOBER 2009

Qantas today unveiled one of its first ever Qantas Socceroos Boeing 747-400 aircraft, painted in the colours of the team with a good luck message, at Melbourne Airport in preparation for the FIFA World Cup in 2010.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the new Qantas Socceroos aircraft shows the company’s support for the Socceroos in the lead up to the World Cup next year.

“Qantas is the team’s number one fan and this new painted aircraft, ‘Qantas Socceroos - We’re With You All The Way,’ highlights our support as they prepare for South Africa next year,” Mr Joyce said.

“This aircraft will be flying across Australia and around the globe, showing the support that Australia has for its football team.”

“This Boeing 747-400 will carry the team to the World Cup next year and we will be making sure the team arrive in South Africa rested and ready to take on their opponents.”

Football Federation Australia CEO Ben Buckley, and members of the Qantas Socceroos and Olyroos joined the Qantas team at Melbourne Airport today to welcome the new livery. Members of the Good Samaritan Roxburgh Park School football team were also at the airport to get close to the action and view the aircraft that will carry their heroes to the World Cup.

“We’re very excited and appreciative of Qantas’ support for the Socceroos and football in general,” said FFA CEO Ben Buckley.

“This aircraft shows that a picture paints a thousand words, and will make sure the Qantas Socceroos and Australian football are noticed around the world.

“I know the players will be very proud to fly to South Africa in it next year. “We’re also delighted that Qantas has extended their support for football until March 2012.”

The Boeing 747 spent a week in the Qantas hangar for the new decal to be applied. The aircraft is scheduled to operate QF63 from Sydney to Johannesburg at 11.00am tomorrow, Friday 23 October 2009.

Qantas has supported football in Australia for more than 10 years, has been naming rights sponsor of the Qantas Socceroos and all men’s national teams since 2004 and has committed to the team through to March 2012.
Note:
NB: A time lapse video of the application of the livery is available to broadcast and online media.
Media Enquiries:       Sophia Connelly       T: 0410 686 908         E: sophiaconnelly@qantas.com.au
Adam Mark
Media Operations Manager, Men’s National Teams
T: +61 2 8020 4045 F: +61 2 8020 4100 M: +61 409 390 340
E: Adam.Mark@footballaustralia.com.au
W: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au
Bid website: http://www.australia2018-2022.com.au/

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Keywords · Qantas · Socceroos · Australia · 2010 World Cup

Name: Bonita Mersiades
Organization: FFA Football Federation Australia
Email:
Phone: +61 2 8354 5544
URL: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/default.aspx?s=home

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