BANGKOK -- National carrier Oman Air has organised a folk music programme of Omani artists to mark the official opening of its Bangkok office. A local band from Sur, who were specially flew down to Bangkok, performed at a glittering gala dinner function conducted at the Intercontinental Hotel on Monday, which was attended by Oman's ambassador to Thailand Hafeedh bin Salim bin Mohammed Ba'Omar, Abdulrazaq J Al Raisai, Senior Manager (Sales) of Oman Air, Usama bin Karim al Haremi, Head of Corporate Communications and senior Thai government officials.
Several officials from leading airlines, travel agencies and business associates also attended the event. Abdulrazaq J Al Raisai and Usama bin Karim al Haremi, who addressed the gathering, explained the future plans of Oman Air, which commenced non-stop flights to Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport on November 28, 2007. Al Raisi earlier said that Oman Air is planning to replace the Boeing 737-800 plane used in Bangkok sector with a wide-bodied aircraft once leased planes join the fleet in February this year. "It could be a Boeing 767-300 or an Airbus," he noted. The airline's Boeing 737-800 has 141 seats, which include 129 economy class and 12 business class.
Oman Air is eager to raise its capacity on the route to cater to the rapidly growing traffic, but the lack of aircraft capacity is hampering its efforts. Oman Air Chief Executive Ziad bin Karim al Haremi stated that the decision to commence flights to Bangkok is in response to market demand for direct and reliable services between Muscat and Asia Pacific. Bennet Stephens, Manager of Oman Air's Bangkok office, said that Muscat-Bangkok flights are fully booked till January 19. "It is looking good even after January 19," Stephens added.
Bangkok is becoming a highly popular destination for Omanis, many of these visitors go for either medical or tourism purposes. Last year, as many as 37,000 Omanis visited Thailand and it is growing now. As many as 900 Thai people visited Oman in 2006 and the number is expected to double during the current year. Oman embassy in Bangkok issues visa for Thailand visitors within one hour as part of a bilateral agreement between the two countries. Thai visitors can also get visa on arrival at Seeb International Airport.
"Omanis also have the same facility when they go Thai embassy for visas," said Hafeedh. "This is part of a bilateral agreement signed by the two countries in 2005," he added. The airline will conduct campaigns with the support of embassy to attract more Thai tourists to the Sultanate. Oman Air's operations to Bangkok are expected to improve business relations between the two countries.
By Business Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
