Lufthansa Renews German Football Partnership Ahead Of Doha World Cup

Lufthansa Group announced today that it had renewed its partnership with the German Football Association (DFB). The announcement comes only weeks before the start of the World Cup in Doha, Qatar. As a part of this partnership, the airline will carry the German Men’s national team and all support staff to the World Cup.

Renewed partnership

The airline has been partnered with the DFB since 2005 providing air transit services for its players and staff. This latest renewal will ensure the partnership persists through 2026. It came with impeccable timing as next week, on November 14th, the team will fly on a Lufthansa Airbus A330 to a short training camp and the last international match prior to the 2022 World Cup.

Photo: DFB

Both parties involved in the partnership have expressed appreciation for one another and excitement for the continued partnership. The Chief Commercial Officer at Lufthansa Airlines, Stefan Kreuzpaintner, shared the airline’s enthusiasm for the continued partnership. Kreuzpaintner stated,

“As the airline of sports, we look forward to continuing the long-standing and successful partnership with the DFB and to flying the national team to their tournaments in the next four years. Fairness, team spirit and top performance are not only values ​​for every competitive athlete, but also a motivation for all Lufthansa employees worldwide. I am particularly proud that with Lufthansa and the DFB two partners who stand for cosmopolitanism and live diversity continue to cooperate.”

The Managing Director of National Teams & Academy of DFB GmbH & Co. KG., Oliver Bierhoff, shared the organization’s appreciation for the safe and reliable service Lufthansa has provided for its players and staff over the past 17 years. Bierhoff said the following regarding the renewed partnership,

“Lufthansa has been flying our national team and the team behind the team safely and reliably to our tournaments for many years. We are very pleased to be able to continue this great tradition and hopefully be able to celebrate sporting successes together in the future. We appreciate the continuity of the trusting cooperation, the professionalism and reliability of Lufthansa and are happy to have the largest German airline as our partner and supporter by our side,”

Holger Blask, the Managing Director of Marketing, Sales & Events at DFB GmbH & Co. KG., shared the association’s gratitude to Lufthansa for the excellent service it has always provided. Blask stated,

“With the extension of the partnership, we can look back on a history with Lufthansa that will soon be 20 years. Together we have experienced significant moments, such as the return of our 2014 world champions in the Siegerfluger. We look forward to as many more flights of fancy as possible with a strong partner and the common goal of bringing the national team and fans together around the world to celebrate unique football experiences.”

Qatar World Cup

Lufthansa is not the only airline taking part in the 2022 World Cup. Being hosted by Qatar, Qatar Airways has become the official airline of the World Cup. The airline is investing heavily in the tournament, from advertising campaigns to route changes. It is doing all it can to ensure it and its host country profit heavily from the historic event. It recently began an aggressive hiring campaign looking to hire 10,000 new employees.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

The World Cup will pose a significant logistical challenge for airlines and airports across the region as participants and spectators pour in from around the globe. Being the official airline of this year’s World Cup and offering many flights to Qatar, Qatar Airways is preparing to take on a wave of new passengers. For this reason, it has opened 10,000 positions across the company.

What do you think of this partnership renewal? Let us know in the comments below.