Dubai carrier Emirates has joined hands with top leisure travel group TUI Travel to launch 'Emirates Live' that offers customers full access to international events including tickets, flights, hotels and transport all in one simple step.

Emirates has always been a strong supporter of sports worldwide and has been involved with a wide range of sporting events and teams around the world for over 20 years, said a statement from the Emirati airline.

Emirates has a vast rugby sponsorship portfolio around the globe in all formats of the game, said a company statement.

Emirates said the new scheme launched in partnership with the sports division of TUI will offer a full package of service allowing easy access to the world’s premier events.

Under the scheme, all customers are eligible to purchase the Emirates Live packages with flights on Emirates Airline, regardless of airfare or class of travel.

In addition to match ticket(s), packages include hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and all taxes and service charges. Should passengers want to arrange a trip tailored to their specific interests, individual and group packages can also be arranged for each event, the airline said.  
 
Russell Sheldon, senior VP, Network Sales and Passenger Development, said, 'Combining the expertise of TUI Travel with the six-continent-wide Emirates route network is a huge advantage for our customers; giving them access to premier events with the comfort and satisfaction of these two reputable brands.'

'For those who believe that being a fan means more than watching your favourite team on TV, Emirates Live will bring passengers right to the heart of the action.'

'Whether it’s the pressure of scrums at Rugby World Cup, a need for speed on the Formula 1 circuit, whizzing shuttlecocks at the World Badminton Championship or seeing the Gunners fight for the top spot in the English Premier League, Emirates Live can get you there,' he noted.

“Emirates has grown its route network based on the needs of its customer’s and now, through Emirates Live, we are expanding our customer-focus further by offering events packages to meet their leisure interests,' he observed.

'As the programme grows and through customer feedback, we will continue to increase the number and variety of events; offering the world’s hottest events to our valuable customers,' he added.

Currently, Emirates Live offers packages for the following:
 
*Rugby – Rugby World Cup 2011 (October 7 to 24) New Zealand
*Rugby – IRB Rugby 7s Series
*Racing – F1 British Grand Prix (July 8 to 10) Silverstone
*Racing – F1 Belgian Grand Prix (August 26 to 28) - Spa
*Racing – F1 Italian Grand Prix  (September 9 to 11) Milan
*Racing – F1 Singapore Grand Prix (September  23-25)
*Cricket – England v. India: npower Test Series (August 10 to 14) Birmingham
*Badminton - Yonex BWF World Badminton Championships (August 8 to 14) London
*Football – England’s 2011/2012 Barclays Premier League Season, United Kingdom
*Horse Racing - Emirates Melbourne Cup Carnival (November 1 to 4) Melbourne
 
Emirates is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, and has received more than 400 international awards for excellence. It flies to 113 destinations in 66 countries.

TUI Travel’s Sport Division is part of the company's specialist & activity sector and is a unique collection of some of the most established sports travel & event brands in the world.-TradeArabia News Service