FlyDubai's Argentina Sponsorship Linked to World Cup Win

FlyDubai, an airline well-known in Israel due to a past attempted hijacking incident involving one of its planes, was indirectly involved in Argentina's World Cup victory. The airline served as a sponsor for the Argentine national football team during the 2022 World Cup and even transported the team. Two of their Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft were specially painted with images of Lionel Messi and the Argentine team, similar to the model of the plane that was the subject of the hijacking attempt. The specific plane featuring Messi's image was A6-FKA, while the one that landed in Saudi Arabia was A6-FKF. These two painted planes were part of a fleet that included the aircraft involved in the hijacking incident, though they were not the same plane. The sponsorship deal was initially planned for only four months, beginning before the World Cup. Following the tournament and Argentina's subsequent lack of travel to the region, the partnership with FlyDubai concluded. At the time the deal was announced, Claudio Tapia, Chairman of the Argentine Football Association, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating it would connect Argentina with fans globally and change how fans travel. The article notes that the connection between the airline and the team has since ended.