Oman Air Commences Four Weekly Flights To Kuala Lumpur
The inclusion of Oman Air makes the number of Middle Eastern airlines serving KL International Airport (KLIA) rise to ten, offering 68 flights weekly to various capital cities. Apart from these Middle East airlines, Malaysia Airlines also offers 16 flights weekly to the Middle East.
Currently, the other Middle Eastern airlines flying to KLIA are Iran Air, Emirates, Gulf Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Yemenia Yemen Airways and Mahan Air.
Oman Air is the 59th international airline to operate into KLIA and Malaysia Airports is confident in attracting more airlines to fly to Malaysia with its relentless marketing efforts.
Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports said: "Malaysia Airports welcomes Oman Air's operations to KLIA. Its presence will further multiply the connectivity at KLIA, particularly to Middle East countries."
"Statistics of passenger traffic from the Middle East in 2009 recorded 1.4 million which indicates a growth of 6.7% from 2008, and we foresee that passenger traffic will continue to contribute towards a higher number of passengers this year, especially with the inclusion of new airlines from Middle East," he added.
Oman Air will benefit from the Airline Recovery Programme offered by Malaysia Airports which offers new airlines flying to KLIA with specific incentives. Oman Air will also enjoy a waiver in landing fees for three years for each new service operated and free office rental for six months at KLIA under this programme.
Peter Hill Oman Air's Chief Executive Officer says: "This new destination will be a welcome addition to the ever expanding Oman Air network. Kuala Lumpur has been a much-anticipated destination and I am positive it will be a real winner with our customers, especially from the region and the Sub Continent. This beautiful country, which seamlessly weaves in the true wonders of Asia, is as diverse geographically, as it is culturally. Known to provide the perfect getaway for those who want to have a complete change of scenery, one can have a holiday of their lifetime by exploring the many splendours of Malaysia. Holidays in Malaysia will introduce Oman Air customers to a fantastic travel and holiday experience."
In today's welcome reception, Tan Sri Aris Othman, Chairman of Malaysia Airports led the Malaysian delegates in greeting and presenting the arriving passengers of Flight YW823 from Muscat with souvenirs from Malaysia Airports.
About Oman Air
Oman Air is the flag carrier of the Sultanate of Oman. Founded in 1993, the airline has since witnessed massive growth and has played a major role in making Muscat an important traffic hub in the Middle East, supporting the commercial, industrial and tourism sectors.
The airline currently operates direct international flights from Muscat to major Gulf destinations, such as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh and Kuwait. In addition, Oman Air flies to ten destinations in India - Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore, Kozhikode and Jaipur; to Chittagong in Bangladesh and Karachi in Pakistan, Cairo, Beirut and Amman, Jordan, besides London and Bangkok.
Oman Air commenced in September 2009 four weekly flights to Frankfurt and from October, three weekly flights to Munich as well as four weekly flights to Paris, Charles de Gaulle from Muscat. In Asia, Oman Air flies since October 2009 four times a week between Muscat, Maldives, and flies four times a week to Colombo, Sri Lanka, since November 2009.
Oman Air's fleet consists of Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A330s. Currently the fleet strength stands at 15 B737-800s, two A330-200s and three A330-300s. During 2010 / 2011, 2 additional A330-300 will be delivered.
In addition, Oman Air recently signed a contract with Embraer for the purchase of five Embraer 175 aircraft from the E-Jets family, with purchase rights for another five aircraft. The first delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2011.
For the future Oman Air has ordered 7 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are scheduled for delivery in 2014.
Oman Air unveiled its First Class Mini Suite in October 2009, which marks a further milestone in Oman Air's ongoing drive for quality and comfort. During early 2009, Oman Air unveiled its new, lie-flat Business Class seat, which offers greater levels of comfort and amenity than many other airlines' first class products and will be fitted on all the new Airbus wide-body fleet.
Starting from May 2010 Oman Air flies to, Al-Ain and Ras Al-Kamiah in the UAE, Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan, Kathmandu in Nepal and Dar Es-Salaam in Tanzania. Milan, Italy is scheduled for late 2010.
About Malaysia Airports
Malaysia Airports manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia: 5 international, 16 domestic and 18 Short Take-Off and Landing Ports (STOL Ports). It also has operations in India and Turkey. On November 30, 1999, Malaysia Airports became the first airport company to be listed in Asia.
KL International Airport (KLIA), its flagship airport was thrice voted as the Best Airport (15-25 million passengers per annum) in the 2005 AETRA awards, 2006 ACI-ASQ awards and 2007 ACI-ASQ awards while the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT-KLIA) was named CAPA Low Cost Airport of the Year at the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence 2006. KLIA has also taken a big stride in the realisation of becoming a global integrated hub by launching the Next Generation Hub concept, an initiative aiming to position the ultra-modern airport as a complete hub for all.
Malaysia Airports has been awarded by Enterprise Asia with the prestigious Community Engagement Award in the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards (AREA) 2009 Malaysia, in recognition of Malaysia Airports' commitment towards the betterment of the surrounding community which they operate in.
Ends
Issued by Corporate Communications Division, Malaysia Airports
For further information on the press release, kindly contact: -
Nik Anis Nik Zakaria (General Manager, Corporate Communications) at 016-662 3200 / nikanis@malaysiaairports.com.my
or Faisally Ahmad Rusdy at 012-6846575 / email: faisally@malaysiaairports.com.my
or Salmah Yaakob at 012-3153675 / email: salmah@malaysiaairports.com.my
