Air France, the national carrier, has been unveiled as the latest sponsor of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
The airline has come on board as a third-tier official partner and the second signed up this week after Caisse des Dépôts, the French public sector financial institution.
The deal strengthens the company’s relationship with the local organizing committee as it supported its bid to bring the games to Paris as an official partner in 2016.
It is also an extension of Air France's long-running association with the Olympics, having carried the country’s delegations to the games since 1952.
It’s official! Air France is thrilled to be an official partner of the @Paris2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our teams are ready for the challenge and we are looking forward to seeing you next summer in #Paris2024
— Air France (@airfrance) July 20, 2023
👉 https://t.co/URIPqgAHKi pic.twitter.com/m4YbqUtzXG
Air France will provide travel services and assist in the arrival of the athletes, fans, and media in France for next year’s Olympics and Paralympics.
The national airline revealed that staff are readying the planes’ cargo holds for equipment that is set to feature at Paris 2024 and will assist with the check-in process at the Athletes’ Village in Seine-Saint-Denis.
Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet said: "We are especially thrilled to welcome Air France to the Paris 2024 journey as an official partner of the games.
"The storied airline is an iconic jewel of the French economy, it enjoys a strong history with the games, and it has been supporting us since the bid phase in 2016.”
Benjamin Smith, chief executive of the Air France-KLM Group, added: "We are proud to extend our partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. After the thrill of Paris being awarded the games, we can’t wait to contribute to making this global event a success.”
Air France becomes the 13th official partner of the games alongside the aforementioned Caisse des Dépôts, Accor Live Limitless, Groupe ADP, ArcelorMittal, Cisco, Danone, CMA CGM, Decathlon, FDJ, GL Events, Le Coq Sportif, and PwC.
Earlier this week, Paris 2024 announced Arena Group, the UK-based events company that provides temporary structures and seating at major sporting events, as an official supporter. French gas company Air Liquide also came on board as an official supporter late last month.
The Paris 2024 Olympics are scheduled to start on July 26 next year and will run until August 11.
Image: Andrew Chin/Getty Images
