Tag Archives: muscat

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts inked an agreement with Oman’s Golden Group of Companies to manage the 370-key Mövenpick Hotel Muscat Airport, part of a new upscale project under development near Muscat International Airport, set to open in 2021. The project will also feature retail and commercial space. It expands Mövenpick’s inventory pipeline to almost 1,000 keys countrywide after deals to operate Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Azaiba Muscat and Mövenpick Hotel Bausher Muscat were recently signed. The three properties will capitalise on Oman’s growing importance as a regional hub for business and leisure tourism, spurred by the development of new infrastructure which ranges from conference centres to cruise terminals. At the same time, Muscat International Airport is undergoing extensive renovations and expansion that will boost its annual capacity from 12 million to 48 million passengers.

Oman Air has implemented a code share agreement with Kenya Airways (KQ) covering services between Muscat and Nairobi. The new partnership will allow seamless connectivity to Kenya Airways customers in accessing Muscat directly from Nairobi. Oman Air launched its flights to Nairobi in March this year. On the Nairobi – Muscat route, KQ will place its code share flight numbers on the Oman Air flights operating on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Through this partnership, Kenya Airways extends its services to tourists as well as to those who are visiting friends and families, in Oman – through the cultural links that Oman shares with the coastal parts of East Africa – especially Kenya and Tanzania. Commenting on the new code share agreement, Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO, Oman Air, said, “Oman Air is very happy with the implementation of this code share agreement with Kenya Airways. Through this partnership, Oman Air extends its exemplary services to guests of Kenya Airways. Trade between Kenya and Oman has been growing steadily over the years and this latest agreement with Kenya Airways is a natural progression, following the launch of our new flight from Muscat to Nairobi in March this year.” Sebastian Mikosz, Managing Director and CEO, Kenya Airways Group, commented, “This new code share agreement represents an important element of our strategy to increase the choice, convenience and connectivity that Kenya Airways offers its customers. The code share partnerships and airline alliances continue to play an important role for Kenya Airways in improving the airlines competitive offering.”

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has inked an agreement with the Civil Service Employees Pension Fund to operate its first property in Oman’s capital city, Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Azaiba Muscat. Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Azaiba Muscat will feature 274 guest rooms and suites and 50 serviced apartments. Standout facilities will include six market-oriented food and beverage outlets, a rooftop restaurant, swimming pool, meeting and event space, a ballroom, a rooftop gym with spa, executive lounge and a residents’ lounge. “This new property will be a welcome addition to our already extensive portfolio of hotels in the Middle East,” said Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Middle East and Africa. “With Muscat undergoing rapid development and significant funds being invested into major tourism infrastructure projects, the time is right to put the Mövenpick brand on the map in this important regional city.” Oman is considered a market brimming with opportunities for the hospitality sector, with some $640 million ploughed into travel and tourism projects in 2015, or 3.1% of total investment, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) statistics reveal. In 2016, the Sultanate was on track to receive more than 1.8 million international tourists – a figure expected to almost double to 3.34 million by 2026. “Oman’s tourism industry is flourishing, and we are enormously encouraged by the government and private sector’s commitment to exploit its true potential,” said Amir Lababedi, Vice President Development – Middle East and Africa. “This management agreement consolidates Mövenpick’s position as one of the region’s leading hotel operators and marks another milestone in our strategy to maximise our exposure in every major Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market.”  

SalamAir has introduced Dubai as its first international destination. The double daily service will operate from Muscat International Airport (MCT) to Dubai World Central (DWC) before moving to Dubai International Airport (DXB) starting March 26, 2017. SalamAir’s growing destination network was made possible with the arrival of the second A320 to its fleet, named “Fateh Al Khair” and will introduce a third daily flight to Salalah. “It has been an exciting start to the year for SalamAir with the introduction of our two destinations, Salalah and Dubai, which reinforces our commitment to strongly support and further trade and economic opportunities for Oman,” said Khalid Al Yahmadi, Chairman of SalamAir. “For a newly launched airline, our figures are already showing very promising results. The response from our guests has been very positive which demonstrates our capabilities in offering a redefined travel experience that never compromises on quality, safety and security.” With fares from Dubai to Muscat as low as AED 122, guests can now book their flights on the website and can choose between three easy fare options: Light, Friendly & Flexi. Delivering on its promise to offer value for money, SalamAir will provide the option of ‘through flights’ on the 17:35 flight from Salalah to Dubai, meaning that guests can fly to Dubai without having to disembark in Muscat. The service includes a 50-minute stopover. Built on the philosophy of ‘Always Welcome’, SalamAir ensures that Omani hospitality is reflected in all aspects of its services, whether on-ground or in-flight. An affordable menu of additional services is also available to guests, which includes extra luggage allowance, seat selection, and priority check-in.

British Airways has launched a direct flight between Muscat and London, further adding convenience to customers travelling between the two regions. Customers, who previously flew between the two cities via Abu Dhabi, can now experience an uninterrupted service, and a reduced flying time of seven hours and 15 minutes, two and a half hours shorter than the previous nine hours and 45 minutes’ journey. The service is operated by the airline’s Boeing 777, five times per week, featuring four cabins of travel – First, Club World (British Airways’ business cabin), World Traveller Plus and World Traveller (British Airways’ economy cabin). The UK carrier, which first began flying to Oman in 1972, inaugurated the new service with a water cannon salute as it landed at Muscat International Airport a few days ago. Anjulika Dutton, Commercial Manager UAE, Oman, Egypt and Central Asia, said that British Airways has successfully served the Omani market for more than four decades. During this period, they have witnessed a strong growth in passengers travelling between these two regions, and anticipate that this new direct service will further enhance connectivity for business and leisure travellers between Oman and the UK. Departing Muscat International Airport at 10.55am, the flight lands at London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 at 2.55pm on the same day, with the return journey departing the British capital at 7.50pm and arriving in Muscat at 7.05am the following morning. A full timetable of British Airways flights is available online here where customers can find the lowest fares and book, pay and check-in online for their flights.