Flybe has today announced a two-year sponsorship deal with the Exeter Chiefs’ rugby team in marking the team’s entrance into the rugby Premiership. The move cements the airline’s commitment to championing the city’s major sporting assets, the other of which is Exeter City Football Club with whom Flybe has a long-established relationship.

The initial two-year deal sees the airline take extensive branding around the team’s Sandy Park stadium at a variety of locations ranging from floodlight stantions, dugouts and the stadium front steps’ entrance to an extensive 40-metre worth of exposure above the Club’s East Stand.

In addition, the Club’s Gold Card Suite will be re-named the Flybe Suite for the start of the new season when the Chief’s play at home against Gloucester on September 4th when guests will be welcomed into the suite by Flybe-uniformed cabin crew. The airline will also be giving away flight vouchers to diners before each home game: and, as part of the deal, players will be using some of Flybe’s 11 UK routes available from Exeter to many of its Premiership League games.

Simon Lilley, Flybe’s Director of Marketing, said: “The time felt right to work together on a more formal basis, with the Chiefs having been on a wonderful rollercoaster ride over the last few seasons, which in many ways has mirrored Flybe’s emergence as a leading UK player within its own field of expertise.”

Flybe will also be seeking the services of Head Coach, Rob Baxter, to play a Flybe Ambassadorial role in coaching at local schools. As demonstrated from its previous sporting sponsorship deals across the UK, Flybe has always gone to great lengths to ensure special opportunities are available for the support of community activities and the development of grassroots’ sport.

Chief Executive of the Exeter Chief’s team, Tony Rowe adds: “Gaining Premiership status in our field is helping us attract more premier sponsors. I am really pleased we have attracted the high profile brand of Flybe and am looking forward to working together with them for hopefully many years to come.”

Mr Lilley added “The profile of the Chief’s booming corporate audience is one that is attractive to Flybe and we know it will complement the very strong relationship we continue to enjoy with Exeter football club. The two will go hand-in-hand as we continue to give something back to the community which is home to our head office and over 1,000 local employees many of which are avid local sporting fans.”