Cat fight over air sponsors
John Masanauskas
Herald-Sun
May 19, 2007 12:00am
A PLANNED sponsorship deal between new airline Tiger Airways and the Richmond Tigers could hit turbulence because of the AFL's link with Qantas.
Richmond is keen to sign up the Singapore-owned budget carrier, but rival Qantas said yesterday it had exclusive sponsorship rights as an AFL corporate partner.
Tiger, to be based in Melbourne, wants to launch domestic flights by the end of the year.
The airline has pledged to compete aggressively with Qantas's no-frills subsidiary Jetstar, with Qantas management warning that Tiger could hit the group's profitability.
Richmond president Gary March said preliminary sponsorship talks had been held with Tiger.
"We think we are a perfect fit for them," Mr March said.
"But at some stage we need to go through protocol in terms of Qantas' relationship with the AFL.
"We still think there is a position there for Tiger Airways to be involved with Richmond."
But Qantas group general manager marketing Neil Ross said its deal with the AFL stopped rival domestic carriers from sponsoring AFL clubs.
"It's not uncommon for industry exclusivity to exist in sporting sponsorships," Mr Ross said.
"We would expect that AFL clubs fully understand the nature of Qantas's support for the code."
But Richmond is likely to argue that a precedent has been set with Ford sponsoring Geelong while Toyota is the AFL's top corporate partner.
Last year, in another sponsorship dispute, Qantas chairman Margaret Jackson complained that the airline had been excluded from the Melbourne Cup carnival because of pressure from main sponsor Emirates.
The Victoria Racing Club said Qantas had been given ample notice that its minor sponsorship would not be renewed because of the carnival's new agreement with Emirates.
Tiger Airways announced yesterday it will operate from Melbourne airport's terminal four.
The terminal is separate from the main airport building and Tiger passengers will board aircraft from the apron, not aerobridges.
Tiger CEO Tony Davis said the no-frills terminal would allow efficient check-in and boarding and have retail and convenience facilities.
http://www.news.com.au/sundayheraldsun/story/0,,21756639-2862,00.html