Oman Air the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman will be launching daily non-stop scheduled services between Muscat, capital of the Sultanate of Oman, and London Gatwick, which is considered a significant milestone for Oman Air. The carrier can now offer passengers seven flights a week between Muscat and the London market.
In this regard, Ziad Bin Karim Al Haremi Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air said, “London is one of our prime markets, and Gatwick offers an alternative to the highly popular Heathrow services. Oman Air is really planning to spread its reach to exciting new destinations to cater for upward demand from a diverse group of travellers. London Gatwick is part of a route expansion programme that will reinforce the carrier's position on long haul route. Our plans include the further breaching of the high-potential markets. We are pleased that our enhanced presence will provide travelers, particularly those in the Middle East more convenient access to London. I am also confident that the new, direct link will stimulate increased commerce and tourism exchange between the two long-standing partners, namely the United Kingdom and the Sultanate of Oman, and prove popular with both business and leisure travelers,” he added. Mr. Al Haremi also indicated that they would soon be announcing new destinations that would connect with the London route in the very near future.
Giving a background of the airline, Oman Air’s CEO said the young airline is moving swiftly on the upward curve, and is now set to achieve greater heights. Oman Air is ready to tackle the future with the long-range Airbus A330-300 and A310-300, featuring the latest inflight entertainment system. He added that the new A330 and A310 would be used principally for the carrier new non-stop flights to operate the Gatwick service and other long haul destinations to be launched soon. We will be operating Seven times a week to London Gatwick with two-class service, international standards of catering and entertainment in both business and economy. People can experience the latest in in-flight entertainment and airline amenity he added.
Mr. Al Haremi acknowledged that the new London Gatwick flights depart Muscat at 1600, arriving in Gatwick at 2030. Return flights depart London Gatwick at 2230, arriving in Muscat at 0945. Daily service with A330-300 (6 days) and A310-300 Sunday to / from Muscat. Complimentary limousine services will be available to all business class and gold card Oman air Sindbad FFP members when departing and arriving in London. Holiday packages inclusive of flights, hotels, and tours for the United Kingdom will be on offer. The delivery of the two new Airbus aircraft represents our continuing commitment to offer our customers a greater choice of destinations, more flights, and a premium class service," said Mr. Al Haremi. We can continue to offer the travelling public an excellent airline service. These wide-bodied aircraft will be used to attract corporate travel business.
“Oman has tremendous potential, and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said has a strong vision for our country and, we are committed to fulfill that. Our objective is to promote Oman to the public and introduce Oman Air services such as our new long-haul destinations,” Al Haremi said. He added that the carrier last year carried 1,225,604 million passengers. This year we expect to surpass our previous figure as indicated by the affirmative indications. Oman Air will take off to 28 destinations by end 2007 as part of a growth strategy that will allow the airline to offer its customers a greater choice of destinations, more flights, and fast connections at its hub in Muscat.
He noted that Oman Air within the last few months became the first Middle Eastern carrier to launch non-stop scheduled flights to Chitagon in Bangladesh beside the other newly inaugurated destinations. Oman Air will operate soon across Europe, the Far East beside new destinations in the Middle East, and Indian subcontinent. The exposed new destinations are just a precursor of much more to come from the young airline. Astute management and intensive reforms have transformed Oman Air into a nimbler, more efficient and customer-focused airline as it continues to overhaul its operations under the watchful eye of an official receiver. It has improved schedule reliability and on-time performance, slashed costs, and dramatically improved its balance book.
“Oman Air plans to expand its fleet, further enhance service products and systems, and push into new markets. We are on the right track and we have something to build on going forward. Among items on the agenda are fleet expansions, also network expansion and, critically, a continuation of focus on corporate discipline, a relentless drive for efficiencies, attacking costs, and further strengthening of the company’s financial position.” said Al Haremi.
Oman Air’s Corporate Communication and Media Department in conclusion affirmed that Oman Air today stands tall with a list of achievements to its credit. Distinguishing its self as a leader in the region, Oman Air was the first commercial operator in the Gulf to purchase Boeing's new version of the 737. The all-new Next-Generation 737 is the best selling airplane in commercial aviation history. Our safety record is a matter of pride. Oman Air has excellent on-time performance - OTP exceeding 95% and is striving to better its record of accomplishment, in times ahead. They said that the national carrier of Oman perhaps, one of the youngest fleet in the world, but its growth strategy is aggressive. Since its inception in 1993 until now, Oman Air has witnessed only success. The airline, which began operating only one aircraft for its flights to Salalah, has now grown to an international airline ready to face all challenges. The airline network will consists of 28 destinations by end 2007. Receiving 10 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft by the end of March 2009, and 9 Airbus A330s by the end of 2011 are merely the beginning.
