Virgin Blue Group of Airlines has signed on as joint major sponsor of the Gold Coast Suns for 2011, three weeks after the airline group was named as the official airline and partner of the Australian Football League's (AFL) from next year.

Virgin Blue Group of Airlines' General Manager Sales, Justin Montgomery, said that Virgin Blue was a new player on the Coast nine years ago and that it seemed a natural fit for the airline to get behind the newest team in town.

"We are extremely excited about partnering with the Suns. They have put together an incredibly exciting player roster, with some of the game's best and we are expecting great things from this partnership," Mr Montgomery, said.

"This will provide a very positive boost for the local community. The Virgin Blue Group has been a strong supporter of local tourism for the past nine years and has increased capacity into the Gold Coast by 14 per cent during the past 12 months alone. We are confident this partnership will help further grow visitor numbers from the AFL fan base."

Key elements of the agreement include branding on the club's playing jumpers and Virgin Blue will also feature prominently at the new Gold Coast Stadium with naming rights to one of the stadium's large corporate facilities - The Lounge - which will cater for 900 corporate guests every match day.

Gold Coast Suns Chief Executive Officer, Travis Auld, said the partnership is a perfect match for the Gold Coast Suns and the local Gold Coast community.

"With Host Plus and Virgin Blue as foundation partners the Gold Coast Suns have the backing of two of the most bold, innovative and progressive brands in Australia," Mr Auld said.

The Virgin Blue Group operates 330 flights per week or more than 17,000 flights per year into and out of Gold Coast Airport, carrying more than two million people from all over Australia and overseas.

To celebrate becoming the official airline of the Gold Coast Suns, special Gold Coast airfares are on sale now for a limited period starting from just $55* one way.