Two-year deal with Fratton Park club

National airliner Air Malta will be flexing its wings once again in the English Premiership next season after agreeing a two-year deal with Portsmouth, one of the oldest clubs in Europe after being established in 1898.

The contract, which sees both organisations working together on various joint marketing opportunities, was signed at Fratton Park, home of 2008 FA Cup winners.

In previous seasons, Air Malta was involved in other deals with English clubs as various promotions on touchline hoardings flashed in different stadiums in cities such as Liverpool, Birmingham and Derby.

However, the deal with Portsmouth takes Air Malta to another level as they are now the official airline partner of the popular club from the South Coast, now on its way to the old glory days.

There will be a drive in a variety of co-marketing and advertising incentives at Fratton Park during league and cup matches. The plans include perimeter advertising and backdrops during interviews.

The agreement was signed by Air Malta General Manager, Marketing and Product, Brian Bartolo, and Peter Storrie, chief executive at Portsmouth FC.

"Through this agreement Air Malta will be getting global TV coverage through the extensive exposure that the English Premier League has around the world," Bartolo said.

"This agreement shows the initiative that Air Malta is willing to take to promote the country abroad and to increase tourist arrivals."

Portsmouth is not only football. Many consider the waterfront city as the UK's premier waterfront destination combining seaviews, great shopping, eating and drinking with stunning attractions and centuries of history, all on the water's edge.

Among the main attractions are the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum, the City Museum, Gunwharf Quays, the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, SouthSea Shopping and Spinnaker Tower.