By COYSDC
October 28 2011
Northampton Saints today announced that leading scheduled leisure airline Monarch has joined the club’s group of Elite Sponsors and will be supporting them in their quest for glory this season.
The Monarch Group includes some of the UK’s best known travel brands, with the largest being Monarch Airlines, flying over six million passengers annually to over 50 destinations worldwide.
Monarch’s fleet of 30 aircraft are based at four UK hubs – Birmingham and London Luton, right in the Northampton Saints’ heartland, as well as London Gatwick and Manchester – and the airline regularly receives awards from both industry bodies and the wider public alike to reflect its commitment to providing a high quality travel experience and product.
Monarch Airlines has this year celebrated its 43rd year of operation and has grown from a small Luton-based airline employing 147 staff to a modern, forward looking travel group with around three thousand highly trained personnel.
The airline is also active in the community and over the past 15 years has donated in excess of £2 million to Macmillan Cancer Care. The company also works closely with various local charities, schools and colleges to support their fundraising activity.
Monarch Airlines has signed an initial one-season deal which will enable them to support the Saints throughout the 2011/12 season and will see the company logo appear on the right breast of the Saints’ home, away and Cup shirts. Both parties are confident however that this will be the start of a long and mutually beneficial relationship for them.
“Everyone at the Saints is delighted that Monarch Airlines has committed themselves to the club by becoming an Elite Sponsor,” said Saints chief executive Allan Robson. “In what is a challenging economic climate, Monarch has recognised the value of partnering with a club like the Saints, that has ambition, profile and a dedicated supporter base across the east of England and beyond.
“We are already working on some exciting initiatives that we will unveil over the next few weeks and months, starting with the outstanding prizes on Saturday. It is some exciting news for the club and we look forward to working closely with Monarch, both for the rest of this season and hopefully in the future as well.”
Also commenting on the announcement, Managing Director of Monarch Airlines, Kevin George said: “With so many of our staff and customers avid Saints fans already, the partnership with the club makes perfect sense for us and we are delighted to be publically supporting the team this season.
“Two of Monarch’s main bases are Birmingham Airport and Luton Airport so, as well as flying the team to key European matches, we look forward to welcoming Saints fans on board and providing great choice and value for all their travel needs.”
To celebrate the new top-flight agreement, Saints supporters attending Saturday’s Aviva Premiership Rugby match against Newcastle have the opportunity to enter a free prize draw to win some fantastic prizes!
There are two groups of prizes being given away during Saturday’s game. Five supporters will win family flights for four people to any of Monarch’s scheduled destinations. And for every try that the Saints score on Saturday, a supporter will win return flights and match tickets for next month’s Heineken Cup away trip to Munster!
All supporters have to do to enter is visit the Monarch Cabin Crew at the Monarch stand in the Village area before the game! The five family flights will be drawn at half-time, with the Munster prizes being drawn after the game.

