Oman Air launches new Tehran service

Oman Air will launch a new daily service between Muscat and the Iranian capital Tehran from 1st September 2012. Flights will depart Muscat for Tehran at 0200 (3 days per week) and 0930 (4 days per week) and return from Tehran at 0610 (3 days per week) and 1240 (4 days per week) all times local, offering good connections to onward destinations within Oman Air's network.

The new Muscat-Tehran route will be operated using Oman Air's new Embraer 175 regional jets, which offer superb levels of comfort in both Business and Economy Classes. The airline took delivery of two of these much-acclaimed aircraft in 2011 and two more will enter service later this year.

Announcing the new service, Wayne Pearce, Oman Air's Chief Executive Officer, said:"We are extremely pleased to be launching our new service between Muscat and Tehran and to be offering customers the opportunity to travel aboard our outstanding Embraer 175 regional jets. Tehran offers visitors the opportunity to gain insights into not only Iran's unique culture, but also its rich and ancient history. Furthermore, Tehran is a major business hub and we anticipate strong demand from both business and leisure passengers.

In addition to giving travellers from Oman and beyond the opportunity to visit Iran, Oman Air's new service will offer Iranian visitors the chance to fly non-stop to Muscat and to experience the hospitality, rich culture and unique landscapes of the Sultanate.

The addition of the new service to Tehran continues the rapid growth of Oman Air over the last 30 months. This has seen significant increases in the size of the airline's fleet, major expansion of its network to include more than 40 destinations and the introduction of a range of new products and services, including the pioneering of complete cellphone and wi-fi connectivity aboard Oman Air's Airbus A330 aircraft.

Over the same period, revenues and passenger numbers have increased dramatically, with customers showing their approval of the airline's combination of quality and value by not only booking further flights, but also voting for Oman Air in a series of awards. As a result, Oman Air was presented with the 'Service Excellence, Middle East' and 'Best Business Class Seat in the World' prizes at the World Airline Awards 2011, which are organized by Skytrax, as well as the 2012 Business Destinations Travel Award for 'Best Business Class Airline, Middle East'.

It’s bloom time again in salubrious Salalah

Oman Sail unveiled its Multi One Design 70 Musandam-Oman Sail at a traditional naming ceremony on Saturday in St Nazaire, France, ahead of the yacht’s maiden race yesterday, at the Record St Nazaire Sauvetage en Mer regatta. In a traditional Omani welcome with rose water and the fragrance of frankincense His Highness Sayyid Tarik bin Shabib al Said, officially named Oman’s new yacht, a Multi One Design 70, Musandam-Oman Sail’in St Nazaire, France.
The ceremony was attended by Ali al Qasmi, Oman’s deputy ambassador to France, David Graham, Oman Sail’s CEO, and several officials from Oman Sail and the MOD70 organising committee. During the launch ceremony HH Sayyid Tarik presented crewmember, Khamis al Anbouri with the national flag of Oman that was raised by Fahad al Hasni on board Musandam-Oman Sail highlighting the significance of the sport to Oman’s maritime heritage.

Tourism Ministry partners with Oman Air for Salalah Tourism Fest campaign

Ministry of Tourism has strategically partnered with Oman Air to launch a summer travel campaign in time for Oman’s ‘Khareef’ monsoon season, which is widely celebrated in Salalah.
The launching event was recently held at Safir International Hotel in Kuwait City, with around 200 travel agents in attendance.
The special packages unveiled include discounted rates to some of the Sultanate’s top hotels, free iftar dinners, and free extra night stays. Oman Air will also introduce a new brochure highlighting Oman’s touristic attractions and will encourage travellers to avail of the 10 weekly flights from Kuwait to Muscat to take part in Oman’s colourful Khareef festivities.
Last year Oman welcomed almost 27,000 visitors from Kuwait topping the previous year’s number by 14 per cent. The Ministry of Tourism’s online accommodation booking partners add that their transactions grew from 25 to 40 per cent in 2011.

The Salalah Tourism Festival and Muscat’s declaration as Arab Tourism Capital for 2012 by the Arab League’s Tourism Ministers are some of the major factors expected to further drive up Oman’s touristic appeal this year.
“Every year from late June to September the Khareef monsoon rains transform Oman into a paradise of greenery and mist. It is during this period that we hold a comprehensive calendar of cultural and entertainment events for the Salalah Tourism Festival.
“Through our collaboration with Oman Air we intend to encourage more travellers from Kuwait to take respite from the summer heat and join our various festivities. Oman Ministry of Tourism is keen to introduce Salalah and Oman to the Kuwaiti market,” said Gamal Sadek, Director, Oman Ministry of Tourism Representative Offices, GCC.
Oman has emerged as a preferred holiday destination for Kuwait visitors. Oman Air will reward Oman’s Kuwaiti guests by offering comprehensive promotions that focus on convenience, a fulfilling experience, and flexible options.
Oman Air’s commitment to quality, comfort and a seamless passenger experience has resulted in international acclaim recently, including:
Best Business Class Seat in the World and Service Excellence, Middle East (World Airline Awards 2011); Best Luxury Airline, Middle East (Business Destinations Awards 2011); TTG Travel Award 2011 as “Commended Airline of the Year”; “Best In-flight Connectivity & Communications” award in The 2011 Passenger Choice Awards in Seattle USA; The Airline of the Year Award at France’s Lauriers d’Or du Voyage d’Affaires, Top Resa 2011. Most recently Oman Air was awarded ‘Best Business Class Airline, Middle East’ in the prestigious Business Destinations Travel Awards 2012.