QF boots Wallabies

QANTAS today announced the end of its 30-year relationship with the Wallabies national Rugby Union team, as part of a wider shake-up of the airline’s sponsorship portfolio aiming to cut the cash cost to zero.

The carrier stressed that the move was not related to last year’s major controversy over Israel Folau, with Chief Customer Officer Stephanie Tully saying the pandemic had been the undoing of the sponsorship pact.

However other Qantas sporting deals including with Cricket Australia, the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and the Football Federation of Australia will continue, on an “in-kind” basis involving flights, marketing channels and lounges.

Tully said the pandemic had also unfortunately forced the end of several Qantas arts and community sponsorships.