EgyptAir to sponsor FC Barcelona in drive to boost carrier’s global profile
EgyptAir announced on August 26, 2026, that it has signed an agreement with renowned sports club FC Barcelona to become its official airline for a period of three years, through to the 2028/29 sports season.
Under the terms of the partnership, the Egyptian flag carrier will be designated the club’s “Global Partner” and exclusive official airline of the men’s football, basketball, and handball teams. The latter will also wear the EgyptAir brand on its jerseys.
“Sponsoring one of the world’s most storied clubs, champions of La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, represents an unprecedented achievement in the national carrier’s history,” stated Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of the Board of EgyptAir Holding Company.
In the same press announcement, Captain Mohamed Elian, Chairman of the Board of EgyptAir Airlines Company, added that he expects the partnership to strengthen the carrier’s position as an ambassador for its home country and “carry Egypt’s and image to all corners of the world”.
With this agreement, EgyptAir now joins a host of other Middle Eastern airlines sponsoring major European football clubs.
Emirates is a long-time sponsor of Arsenal and AC Milan as well as FC Barcelona’s arch-rival Real Madrid, in the Spanish League. Qatar Airways, in turn, backs French champions Paris Saint-Germain, as well as current Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich and AS Roma in Italy (in addition to having also been an official FC Barcelona sponsor a few years ago). Etihad sponsors Manchester City and new Saudi carrier Riyadh Air backs Spanish side Atlético de Madrid.
This latest announcement appears to highlight EgyptAir’s international ambitions.
In an exclusive Executive Spotlight interview published by AeroTime in January 2026, Captain Ahmed Adel outlined the airline’s strategic goal to boost its role as an international connector.
EgyptAir is investing heavily in upgrading its long-haul fleet with an order for 16 new A350-900 aircraft (the order was increased from 10 to 16 during the 2025 Dubai Airshow) in order to reach new destinations, including in the West Coast of the United States and East Asia. The airline will also receive a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to renew and expand its narrowbody fleet.
In total, Captain Ahmed Adel aims to increase EgyptAir’s fleet by nearly 45% through to 2031, from 67 to 97 aircraft. The opening of a new Terminal 4 at Cairo International Airport (CAI) is also expected to underpin the carrier’s expansion aims.
RELATED
The Beautiful Game: the airlines ready to spend mega bucks on football’s reach
The post EgyptAir to sponsor FC Barcelona in drive to boost carrier’s global profile appeared first on AeroTime.
EgyptAir announced on August 26, 2026, that it has signed an agreement with renowned sports club FC Barcelona…
The post EgyptAir to sponsor FC Barcelona in drive to boost carrier’s global profile appeared first on AeroTime.
