easyJet and Manchester Pride Announce Partnership

The UK’s leading Pride event and the country’s largest airline have announced that easyJet, in partnership with Manchester Airport, will be the lead sponsor for Manchester Pride this year.Manchester Pride 2012 will take place between Friday 17 and Monday 27 August. This is the first time easyJet has sponsored Manchester Pride and more than 40,000 daily visitors are expected to attend the Big Weekend this year.

Ali Gayward, UK Commercial Manager, commented;

“We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of Manchester Pride, in partnership with Manchester Airport. The festival is one of the largest and most popular events in the City’s calendar and easyJet is proud to be sponsoring this year’s event.

“Through the sponsorship easyJet will help to make this year’s festival the most successful yet. We will help market the event to millions of our passengers and will be flying in thousands of people from all over the UK and across Europe to join the celebrations.”

John Stewart, Chief Executive of Manchester Pride, added:

“We are proud to welcome easyJet on board as our first headline sponsor. It’s great to have the backing of such a well known brand and confirms Manchester Pride’s place as the UK’s leading LGBT festival. Support from easyJet and Manchester Airport will help us realise our ambition of continuing to raise funds to support LGBT and HIV charities here in Greater Manchester.”

Manchester Airport will be sponsoring the Festival for the second time and has previously entered an aircraft-themed float in the parade that saw several of its employees taking part in the celebrations.

Stephen Turner, Aviation Commercial Director for the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: “We’re delighted to be linking up with Pride again on the sponsorship of the festival and also pleased to be joined by one of our largest airlines, easyJet. The LGBT community in Greater Manchester has been a positive voice in our region for many years and the festival has become an important date in our calendar as it brings many international visitors to our city. “

easyJet operates 242 flights a week to and from Manchester Airport to 25 of Europe’s top destinations including Berlin, Amsterdam and Athens. The airline has recently announced it will begin service between Manchester and both Basel and Tel Aviv this autumn.

Manchester Pride is an award-winning festival where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people celebrate their contribution to the spirit and diversity of Greater Manchester. The festival takes place from 17-27 August 2012. Pride fringe will run from 17-23 August; the Big Weekend from 24-27 August; Pride Parade, 25 August; and George House Trust Candlelit Vigil, 27^th August.
Manchester Pride is a registered charity, raising money for LGBT and HIV charities and groups across Greater Manchester. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.manchesterpride.com