Jordan has become the first country to make a budget airline its official Olympic Games carrier, with the announcement today that easyJet will fly its athletes and support staff between Amman and London, said the Financial Times.
It is also the first time a UK carrier has sponsored a foreign team. British Airways will fly a number of overseas athletes to London for the Games, but its only official sponsorship deals are with Team GB, ParalympicsGB and London 2012.
Lana al-Jaghbeer, secretary-general of Jordan’s Olympic committee, said: "In today’s financial climate, sponsorship is crucial for our athletes and this contribution is very much appreciated by all."
Including support staff, easyJet expects to fly about 75 people as part of its sponsorship deal. They will be given seats on one of the Luton-based airline’s three-times-a-week scheduled flights between Amman and London Gatwick, launched last March.
By Linsey McNeill
