Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has celebrated the first anniversary of its service to Manchester Airport, after operating the route for just over a year.
Following the success of the route, Oman Air started operating a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Manchester-Muscat service as of 1 July. The Dreamliner offers guests travelling from Manchester more space and equally more comfort, whilst onboard. Oman Air’s outstanding aircraft provides state of the art in-flight entertainment systems, individual seatback screens, audio and video on demand and live satellite TV.
To mark the celebration, Oman Air UK management including Kelpesh Patel, Oman Air Interim Country Manager, and Feysal Nagi Oman Air District Sales Manager as well as key members of Manchester Airport held celebrations at the Oman Air gate. The festivities also marked Manchester Airport’s 80th anniversary.
Guests were welcomed to branded cupcakes, entertainment and balloons. Speeches were made by Kelpesh Patel (Oman Air) and Nicola McMullen (Manchester Airport) before flight WY106 headed to Muscat’s award-winning passenger terminal.
With the route operating for over a year, the Manchester service connects business and leisure travellers from the region to a myriad of destinations. This includes the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Indian subcontinent providing guests with more choice and easy connections, via the airline’s hub in Muscat.
Julian Carr, Aviation Director for Manchester Airport, said: “It’s fantastic to see Oman Air celebrating their one year anniversary at the airport. Their flights to Muscat and their connections beyond to Africa, Asia and India have proved hugely popular with 22million people in our catchment area. We’re looking forward to working with them to build on their successful first year.”
Kelpesh Patel, Interim Country Manager UK & Ireland, Oman Air, said: “Oman Air has had a fantastic year flying on the Manchester-Muscat service and we couldn’t be happier with the support Manchester Airport has shown to Oman Air. I look forward to cementing our partnership with Manchester Airport, and working together to further establish Oman as one of the airline’s key destinations from the North of England.”
Oman Air is currently undergoing an exciting fleet and network expansion programme, which will see the airline operate up to 62 aircraft to around 60 destinations by 2022. Oman Air’s fleet currently consists of four Boeing 787-8, three 787-9 Dreamliners, six Airbus 330-300s, four Airbus 330-200s, five Boeing 737-900s, 21 Boeing 737-800, four Embraer 175s, and three Boeing 737 MAX. By the end of 2018 Oman Air will have taken delivery of five new MAX aircraft and three 787-9s. By 2022, Oman Air’s total fleet size is expected to be around 70.
