Tag Archives: Muscat

Museums serve as treasure house of a nation’s history, culture, and achievements, offering a rich tapestry of knowledge to history enthusiasts. With its diverse array of museums, Oman provides a deep dive into its multifaceted culture and values, preserved through the tangible and intangible elements that define Oman’s heritage, from ancient times to the present. Oman’s museums are like time capsules, each specialising in a unique chapter of the nation’s history. They chronicle the journey of the early Omanis, whose architectural masterpieces still stand today, and they also explore the impact of oil in shaping modern Oman. The story of Omani frankincense, once carried by ships to distant lands, is another fascinating tale told within these walls. These museums are scattered across the Sultanate, housed in everything from ancient forts to modern structures, each offering a high-quality, immersive experience. Travellers can immerse into the intriguing vibe of the National Museum, located in the heart of historical Muscat with 14 permanent galleries, each dedicated to a different aspect of Oman’s legacy. Meanwhile, the Museum of Oman Across Ages in Manah spans 800 million years of history, providing a comprehensive look at the land and its people.

Oman Air received delivery of its latest Boeing B787 9 aircraft, the first of three scheduled for this year. Part of an existing order, which includes eight more aircraft by 2027, the newest marks the tenth Dreamliner in the airline’s fleet. As one of the world’s most modern and advanced passenger aircraft, the B787-9 is known for its innovative design and exceptional fuel efficiency, while its wide cabins and large windows offer unparalleled on-board comfort for guests. The aircraft touched down in Muscat on 23 August 2024, arriving from the Boeing facility in Seattle. “We’re excited to welcome our new Boeing B787-9 to our aircraft line-up, which aligns with our strategy to fly a modern and common Oman Air fleet. It allows us to maintain efficiency in operations, optimise maintenance costs and ensure a seamless and consistent experience for our guests,” said Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer, Oman Air. “Our latest addition to the fleet is also consistent with our focus on transforming our airline towards financial sustainability, while upholding our reputation as a world-class carrier and supporting Oman’s ambitions to increase tourism and connectivity in the years to come.” The newest aircraft features a two-class configuration with 30 Business Class seats and 258 Economy Class seats and will serve across the airline’s network of destinations. Oman Air’s spacious, elegant cabin design, and exceptional service and hospitality, has garnered it a string of international awards, including most recently Best Seat Comfort in the Middle East at the APEX 2024 Awards and Best Airline Staff Middle East at the Skytrax 2024 Awards.

Oman Sets the Stage as a Premier Luxury Destination for Indian Travellers The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman continues its India Roadshow in Chennai, reinforcing Oman’s position as a top-tier destination for Indian travellers seeking luxury, culture, and adventure. The roadshow commenced with a strategic press conference in the capital, followed by a grand promotional tour across key Indian cities, including Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. This vibrant event showcased Oman’s unparalleled offerings, featuring 18 prominent players from the private sector, including leading luxury hotels and airlines, all eager to introduce their finest offerings to the discerning Indian market. The atmosphere was charged with energy as Indian travel trade professionals engaged in meaningful dialogues with Oman Tourism officials. The message was clear: Oman is not just a destination; it is a luxurious haven of natural beauty, rich heritage, and extraordinary experiences that promise to leave a lasting impression. Luxurious Stays in Oman: Where Elegance Meets Tradition: At the heart of Oman’s appeal is its array of world-class luxury accommodations. From the opulent palaces of Muscat to serene beachfront resorts and boutique desert camps, Oman offers Indian travellers an exquisite range of lodging options. The newly opened St. Regis Muscat adds a touch of modern elegance to this portfolio, offering unparalleled service and amenities that blend luxury with local charm. Some properties are known for their regal splendour, while others showcase a minimalist design influenced by traditional Omani architecture—highlighted as must-visit sanctuaries for those seeking the pinnacle of comfort and elegance. Oman: A Vital Market for Indian Travellers: His Excellency (H.E.) Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Tourism, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, underscored the …

Oman’s fastest-growing low-cost carrier, SalamAir is delighted to declare the launch of its newest route, connecting Muscat to the vibrant capital city of India, New Delhi. Starting from 2nd July, SalamAir will operate twice-weekly flights to Delhi, with services on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This milestone signifies a new chapter in Salam Air’s commitment to providing exceptional service, unparalleled comfort, and seamless connectivity to passengers traveling between Oman and India and beyond. The introduction of flights to Delhi represents a significant step forward for SalamAir as they continue to expand their network to meet the growing demand for affordable and convenient travel options. This new route will strengthen connections between Oman and India, benefiting the expat community, leisure travelers, and business professionals alike. To further improve the travel experience, SalamAir offers competitive fares and excellent service, making it a popular choice among travelers who want to explore new destinations, thereby enhancing the accessibility and enjoyment of travel between India and Oman and beyond.

Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat announces the newest addition to Oman’s diverse culinary scene, the opening of contemporary Indian restaurant Aangan by Rohit Ghai. A sophisticated dining destination with a fresh take on Indian cuisine, critically acclaimed Chef Rohit Ghai has curated an innovative menu inspired by his personal and professional culinary experiences from across the globe. Chef Ghai is renowned for earning upmarket London restaurant Jamavar a Michelin Star in under a year, the first ever Indian chef to achieve such an accolade in the UK. Rohit Ghai has become one of the culinary world’s most in-demand chefs after a hugely successful decade on the London restaurant scene. With his award-winning skills attracting international praise, Shangri-La Al Husn is delighted to welcome critically acclaimed Rohit Ghai and his esteemed team of chefs to the city of Muscat. Aangan meaning courtyard in English, is referred to as a warm and welcoming dining space where food is shared and enjoyed with family and friends. Complete with an alfresco terrace, Aangan majestically overlooks the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Oman. Taking inspiration from Oman’s heritage and India’s homeland, soaring ceilings and artistic archways create a magnificent sense of place. Guests enter the dining area through the grand double doors flanked with bold blue drapes, inviting diners to enter another world and enjoy the heartfelt hospitality Shangri-La is renowned for. The extensive menu designed to share; allows diners to mix and match dishes to tease and tantalise the palate. Chef Ghai has taken a contemporary approach to traditional Indian cuisine and has created dishes that burst with flavour. Dishes include an Aloo Tikki, one of the most well-known street food dishes in India …

Embassy of India, Muscat has informed that the Government of the Sultanate of Oman has added Covaxin to the approved list of COVID-19 vaccines for travel to Oman. The Civil Aviation Authority issued a notification on 27th October regarding this. All passengers from India who have received two doses of Covaxin at least 14 days before the estimated arrival date will now be able to travel to Oman without the requirement of quarantine. All other COVID-19 related requirements/conditions, such as pre-arrival RT-PCR test shall be applicable for such passengers. This notification will significantly ease travel to Oman for Indian nationals who have taken Covaxin, Passengers, who have taken AstraZeneca/Covishield are already permitted to travel to Oman without quarantine.

GoAir further expands its international footprint with the launch of direct flights on Kannur–Abu Dhabi–Kannur route effective March 1, 2019. The airline will operate four direct flight services per week between the destinations with bookings now open at an all-inclusive one way fare starting from Rs 6099. This sector will further strengthen the airline’s growing international network to the Gulf and travellers will now have the opportunity to experience affordable travel experience that GoAir is acknowledged with. Speaking on the occasion, Jeh Wadia, Managing Director, GoAir said, “Commercial and cultural links between India and UAE are flourishing and GoAir is committed to contribute in facilitating and enhancing the growth of trade and the strong demand for tourism. Kannur, an incredibly beautiful part of India, is now accessible from Abu Dhabi with direct flights and an affordable and convenient travel option.” Recently GoAir announced international operations out of Kannur to Muscat. GoAir will operate three direct flight services per week between Kannur–Muscat–Kannur effective February 28, 2019. On the domestic front, GoAir currently connects Kannur to Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad.

EbixCash World Money airport forex counters has been inaugurated at the arrival and departure terminals at Kannur International Airport in the presence of Minister of Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu; Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan; Minister of Industries, Sports and Youth Affairs, EP Jayarajan; Minister of Ports, Kadakampally Surendran; Minister of Transport, AK Saseendran; Minister of Water Resources, K Krishnankutty; and KIAL MD, V Thulasidas among other senior central and state government officials, and industry leaders. EbixCash World Money will offer passengers flying in and out of the city, foreign exchange at competitive rates along with a host of other products such as travellers’ cheques, multi-currency prepaid cards and travel insurance. Commenting on the launch, T C Guruprasad, Managing Director, EbixCash WorldMoney said, “Kannur is a fast-growing business and tourism destination with Wayanad and Coorg being in close proximity. Besides being the district headquarters, it offers a mix of beaches, forts and museums. A large number of international flights also offer direct connectivity from Middle East destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Muscat, Riyadh, Doha and Kuwait, making it a strategic location for us to offer our forex and travel services. We currently have six branches and nine airport forex counters in Kerala.” Spread about 2,000 acres, the Kannur Airport is the newest addition to India’s international airport portfolio. The airport is expected to serve more than one million passengers annually with passenger traffic estimated to increase five-fold by 2025.    

Oman Air has deployed the new Boeing 737 MAX on its recently launched Delhi-Muscat route. The new B737 MAX is equipped with 12 new Business Class seats with large 17-inch touch screen monitors and all the amenities needed for the busy road warrior such as individual power and USB points. The 150 seat Economy Class cabin will also undergo a significant refresh with new interiors, 10.2-inch Thales Gen V touch-screen monitors, high power USB outlets for each triple seats and individual USB outlets for every guest. H.E. Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Chairman, Oman Air, said, “The Boeing 737 MAX is at the forefront of aviation technology and amongst the most efficient planes in the sky today. Oman Air has put an order of 30 MAX aircraft and this is the first aircraft delivery of this order.”

IndiGo has announced Sharjah as its sixth international destination in its schedule. It also introduces new flights to the existing Muscat network. The new schedule sees introduction of new daily non-stop flights on Sharjah-Kozhikode, Muscat-Kozhikode effective March 20th 2017 and Sharjah Thiruvananthapuram effective 8 April, 2017. Aditya Ghosh, President and Whole Time Director, IndiGo, said, “We are extremely pleased to expand our international network with Sharjah and an additional connection between Muscat and Kozhikode. Middle-East has been an important market for IndiGo and expanding operations to Sharjah and Muscat is a testament to the growing demand from the sector. We are hopeful that these new flights will prove to be immensely popular amongst flyers.”