Due to the growing crisis in Ukraine, Manchester United is ready to terminate its sponsorship agreement with Aeroflot. After the situation in Russia and Ukraine intensified, Britain's economic giants have chosen to keep their distance from the company. Aeroflot has been one of United's main sponsors since 2013. United extended their agreement with the company in 2017, which is worth around £40 million. The current deal expires in April, and Manchester United's new chief executive, Richard Arnold, has no intention of renewing his contract. In the just-concluded Champions League quarter-finals, United's generals flew to Spain in a plane that replaced the airline Titan to compete with Atletico.
Given the situation, this means United need to seek a deal with another airline to become the club's official airline, with Qatar Airways being one of the options to consider. Aeroflot is Russia's national airline and can fly to 146 destinations in 52 countries. United realised how much damage the club's image and commercial appeal would be if it continued to work with Aeroflot.
If the U.S. government decides to impose sanctions on Russian companies, including banning Aeroflot from entering the country, it will put Manchester United's U.S. bosses, mr. and Mrs. Glazer, face serious consequences unless the agreement with the company is terminated. Until then, Aeroflot had been a must-have for Manchester United stars and officials traveling around the world and provided travel strategy advice to the team. United's nine-year partnership with them is worth almost £100 million. It is also worth noting that UEFA officials have just issued a statement announcing that a special meeting will be held this Friday to discuss a proposal to move the venue of this season's Champions League final from St. Petersburg to another city.