Emirates opens VIP Lounge at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Madrid: Coinciding with the Spanish La Liga derby match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Emirates yesterday inaugurated its exclusive branded VIP Lounge at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Unveiled less than four months after signing the prestigious five-year shirt sponsorship contract with Real Madrid, the new lounge was officially opened yesterday by Emilio Butragueno, Real Madrid Institutional Relations Manager and former Club player, and Fernando Suarez De Gongora, Emirates' Manager Spain and Portugal. Modelled after the cabin of a Boeing 777, the same aircraft currently serving the route between Madrid and Dubai, the lounge can comfortably host more than 200 guests on match days. Interior features such as windows and lighting have been designed to mimic the experience of walking through an Emirates aircraft. The Emirates VIP Lounge will be open to its invited guests an hour before and after matches and is situated just below the VIP boxes from where guests enjoy matches with an unparalleled view of the pitch and stadium. Real Madrid has been part of Emirates' impressive sponsorship portfolio since 2011. Emirates also sponsors the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Spain with a deal that runs until 2018. Emirates currently offers 21 flights each week to Spain, a twice daily flight to Madrid and a daily flight to Barcelona, which is due to be upgraded to an A380 operation on 1st February, 2014. – Emirates News Agency, WAM