Free match tickets to 2006 FIFA World Cup ™ with Emirates special packages to Germany

As a part of its commitment to its customers, Emirates is giving away thousands of match tickets with its exclusive packages to Germany.

Emirates has worked tirelessly with FIFA on putting together these unprecedented deals which offer football fans a choice of flights to four German cities with more than a hundred hotels to chose from in the 12 FIFA host cities.

As an Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, Emirates has access to match tickets and is offering them free to its passengers who book packages to Germany or other selected European cities with the airline to see what many consider to be the greatest show on earth.

Effective immediately, customers around the world can take advantage of the Dubai-based airline's special deals to watch the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. These packages, include Emirates flights to one of the airline's four destinations in Germany - Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Düsseldorf - or to Zurich, Paris or Vienna; two nights accommodation from a choice of one of 12 cities where 2006 FIFA World Cup™ matches are being played, and a free match ticket to any of the games, including the final, subject to availability.

The FIFA World Cup™ is the world's largest sporting event with some 30 billion television viewers in more than 210 countries expected to watch the tournament - but there is nothing like being there yourself and Emirates can offer its passengers that once-in-a-lifetime experience.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: "Emirates is extremely pleased to be able to offer its customers the opportunity to support their team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and to be a part of this spectacular tournament. Emirates has always believed in sports sponsorship as a way of connecting with our passengers and sharing their passions, and what better way for us to demonstrate this than to offer our customers free tickets to football's showcase event, the 2006 FIFA World Cup?"

"Emirates has stated that the 2006 FIFA World Cup represents a great platform for us to expand our presence as a global brand alongside the other blue chip companies that sponsor this event. However, it is also extremely gratifying for us to be able to repay the custom and support of our passengers by offering them the chance to experience the live action of the tournament. We look forward to both our existing and new customers enjoying the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ courtesy of Emirates Airline."

Joseph S. Blatter, President FIFA, said of the Emirates packages: "Emirates is the first airline ever to partner with FIFA and we can immediately see the benefits that having such a partner brings to the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Other than promoting the event globally through their marketing activities, Emirates also has the ability to fly football fans into its four destinations in Germany from all over the world via their Dubai hub, and will bring many thousands of visitors to the tournament.

"The offer of complimentary tickets to their passengers is an offer that just can't be bettered and we are extremely pleased to have Emirates on board as an Official Partner of 2006 FIFA World Cup™ and we know they will contribute greatly to the success of the event."

The Emirates 2006 FIFA World Cup™ package offers include a return air ticket, which may be booked in Economy, Business or First Class, airport and airline taxes and surcharges, hotel accommodation, taxes and service fees and a complimentary FIFA World Cup™ match ticket - all of which are subject to availability. The offer does not include visas, airport transfers or transfers to the football stadia.

The offers are valid for all matches between 9th June 2006 to 9th July 2006 for all of the 64 FIFA World Cup™ matches, including the final, and passengers can opt to watch one or more of the matches in Germany, as long as they meet booking requirements and reserve their hotel accommodation through Emirates at the time of booking.

Hotel accommodation (room-only basis), in either 2, 3, 4 or 5 star properties, is offered on the basis of a minimum stay of two nights and is available in cities where 2006 FIFA World Cup™ matches are played: Hamburg, Hanover, Berlin, Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, Leipzig, Cologne, Frankfurt, Kaiserslautern, Nuremberg, Stuttgart or Munich.

The Emirates 2006 FIFA World Cup™ Offers are available immediately to Emirates passengers and may be booked via travel agents or from Emirates directly.

In Dubai, passengers can book via their travel agents, Emirates' travel hubs, or the airline's call centre on 04 214 4444.