Dubai International Airport signs up for unique Emirates FIFA World Cup experience

At 16 international airports, from New York to Nagoya, Milan to Melbourne, supporters can follow every kick of the 64-match tournament courtesy of a number of interactive viewing stations created by Emirates specifically for the event.

And Emirates - an Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ - will make sure that fans are kept up to date with matches they may have missed thanks to highlights packages of earlier games and information regarding future match schedules, team standings and the latest FIFA news.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: "Football is the world's favourite sport and this year's FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever staged, watched by billions in every corner of the world.

"However, there are also millions of fans who will be unable to watch the matches live due to travel commitments - and, as a FIFA World Cup partner, an airline and football fans ourselves, we wanted to make sure they are also part of this unique occasion. By activating this interactive concept at airports in ten different countries, we aim to provide a service that will be welcomed by fans of all nationalities."

Depending on the location, in addition to a huge plasma screen broadcasting live coverage of every match, the Emirates "cubes" will also feature interactive screens, smaller screens showing classic matches from the past, a ticker display and an e-mail booth where fans can photograph themselves with a range of different backgrounds relating to Dubai, Emirates and the FIFA World Cup™.

Airports at New York, Zurich, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Nagoya, Kansai, Shanghai, Narita, Brisbane and Hamburg are expected to launch their Emirates Experience booths in May, while Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney, Milan, Rome and Dubai will kick off their campaigns in June.

In addition to the airport activity, Emirates is also offering fans the chance to be in Germany thanks to a unique travel package featuring a complimentary match ticket.

Fans wishing to attend any game, subject to availability, from the opening clash between hosts Germany and Cost Rica on 9th June all the way through to the final in Berlin on 9th July, are being offered complimentary tickets - including matches involving cup favourites such as England, Argentina, Italy and Brazil - if they take advantage of the special packages on flights to any of the airline's European destinations.

The offers are valid for all 64 FIFA World Cup™ matches 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.

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.