British Airways official carrier for London Olympic Games

6 February, 2008:

British Airlines will be the official airline for the London Olympics. British Airways will be carrier of choice for thousands of officials and International Olympic Committee members up to year 2012.

The airline reportedly bagged the deal beating rivals Virgin and Emirates. The £40 million sponsorship deal will include cash and free flights for British athletes to future Games, starting with about 1,000 trips to this summer's Beijing Olympics.

With the development, British Airways also bags the exclusive marketing rights for the London Olympics, and can use the Games logo of the interlocking rings on its carriers. A report said, as there are norms regarding the use of Olympic rings, BA is likely to place the logo modestly beneath the cockpit.

Moreover, British Airways can also use the London logo abroad, as planes on runways are considered neutral territory in advertising terms. This is a feature the existing sponsors don't enjoy. The airline will spend £7 billion on a fleet of giant A380 Airbuses that will come into service in 2012.

British Airways will support British athletes through Beijing and the Winter Games in Vancouver in 2010 and then upto the 2012 Olympic Games.

British Airways will become the fourth tier one 2012 Games sponsor after Lloyds TSB, EDF Energy, and Adidas.

British Airways is a natural partner for London Olympics 2012. The airline had supported London's bid for the games in year 2005.