Etihad has confirmed that it is to end its high profile sponsorship deal – including the headline deal for the All Ireland hurling championship – with the GAA.
Bord Gáis Energy is tipped to take over the hurling championship from this season, according to a report here in the Irish Independent.
An airline spokeswoman said: “Etihad Airways will not be renewing its sponsorship of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) from March 2017. We are incredibly proud to have supported the GAA for over nine years and have been honoured to see our name associated with events such as the All-Ireland Hurling Championship and the World Games, alongside the tourist attraction of the Skyline at Croke Park.
“The airline has a tradition of engaging with communities through many different sponsorships and through our partnership with the GAA, we have been able to connect with people and the country on both a national and local level. We will continue to be strong supporters of the game and its principles in the years ahead.”
But the airline reaffirmed its commitment to the Irish market, despite the looming competition from Qatar Airways: “We have a long history of serving the country, and will celebrate our tenth year of operation to Dublin this year, while we also have a premium lounge and line maintenance facility at the airport. 2017 will see the return of year-round double daily flights between Ireland and Abu Dhabi.”
