A major gala dinner was this week the centrepiece of Oman Air’s celebrations of its inaugural flight between Muscat and the Iranian city of Mashhad.

The first flight took place on 1^st June and was followed the next day by a well-attended morning press conference. And in the evening, Oman Air’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President Commercial, Abdulrahaman Al-Busaidy, hosted a sumptuous dinner to which VIPs and senior representatives from the aviation authorities of both Oman and Iran were invited.

The dinner was held at the Ghasr Talaee International Hotel in Mashhad, under the patronage of His Excellency Mohammed Jawad bin Hassan bin Sulaiman, advisor to the Omani Ministry of Finance.

The new daily service is Oman Air’s second to Iran, following the launch of flights to Tehran in 2012. It utilises Boeing 737-800 aircraft and flights depart Muscat International Airport at 14.00, arriving at Mashhad International Airport (also known as Shahid Hashemi Nejad Airport) at 17.15. Return flights depart Mashhad International Airport at 21.45 and arrive in Muscat at 23.50 (all times quoted are local).

The service was launched in response to significant customer demand and it offers travellers from throughout Oman Air’s international network the opportunity to discover a vibrant and exciting new destination. Furthermore, guests flying from Iran to Muscat and onward destinations will now benefit from even greater choice and convenience, whilst enjoying Oman Air’s unique hospitality and award-winning inflight service. A high level of early bookings is expected.

Mashhad is Iran’s second most populous city, with around 2.8 million inhabitants. It is also a major centre for cultural, religious and business affairs.

Tickets for the new service can be booked now via travel agents or at www.omanair.com. Return Economy Class seats from Muscat to Mashhad are currently available at a promotional rate of OMR 110 per person, and return Business Class seats are available from OMR 300 per person. Return flights from Mashhad to Muscat cost from USD 409 in Economy Class or USD 872 in Business Class. All prices quoted include tax and charges.