Oman Air has moved a step closer to its fleet expansion target when the airline took the delivery of its first Airbus A330-200. The aircraft was handed over to the airline at a ceremony held in Toulouse yesterday September 15, and was attended by His Excellency Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki Minister of National Economy, Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, the Chairman of Oman Air, also by Peter Hill, the Chief Executive Officer.
Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, the first A330-200 in Oman Air's livery flew over from Toulouse, France arriving to Seeb International Airport late same day. Configured in a very comfortable two-class layout, the aircraft provides space for 216 passengers, including 20 business class seats and 196 economy class seats.
An official delivery ceremony will be held at Seeb International Airport on Wednesday September 16 to unveil the new aircraft.
The Chairman of Oman Air, His Excellency Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, says:
"The delivery of this Airbus A330 is a milestone in the transformation of Oman Air. This brand-new A330 is the first of seven Airbus long-range aircraft to be delivered to Oman Air. All aircraft are to be delivered to the national carrier of Oman within the next two years as part of the airline's expansion plan for its international fleet. Together with the opening of new routes to Frankfurt later this month, and Munich, Paris, Maldives and Colombo next month, these new aircraft are confirmation of Oman Air's position as a major international airline."
The new Economy Class seats will offer adjustable headrests and footrests, individual 10 inch video screens and will have a pitch of 34 inches. The Business Class seat will offer a fully lie-flat bed, electrically controlled backrest and leg rest, a buddy seat and a 17-inch in-flight entertainment screen.
Ensuring the very best in in-flight entertainment, Oman Air has selected the Thales i5000 system, which, when combined with the Rockwell Collins Tailwind 560 platform, will provide live TV to every seat on the aircraft. In addition, every passenger will have access to e-mail, internet, and mobile phone, as well as laptop, connectivity. This, coupled with the impeccable standard of service for which Oman Air is known, would make a journey truly memorable.
Peter Hill, the Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, concludes:
"We are absolutely delighted to be taking delivery of this superb new aircraft. Not only is the A330 itself at the leading edge of civil aviation, but the onboard products that Oman Air is offering to passengers are second to none.
"This aircraft offers Economy and Business Class cabins. Both are fitted with brand new seats that offer more space, greater comfort, fantastic in-flight entertainment options, and the very latest in communications technology. In fact, our Business Class seat goes way beyond what many airlines offer in First Class.
"The new aircraft, the new seats, together with new uniforms, menus and a host of other features, all illustrate our commitment to offering all our customers the very highest levels of quality in all we do."
-Ends-
About Oman AirOman 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, Kuwait and Riyadh. 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 will commence 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 is operating from October 2009 four times a week from Muscat to Maldives and daily to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Oman Air's fleet consists of Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A330s. At the end of 2009, the fleet strength will be 15 B737-800s, two A330-200s and two A330-300s. During 2010 / 2011, 3 additional A330-300 will be delivered. For the future Oman Air has ordered six Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are scheduled for delivery in 2014.
Earlier this year, Oman Air unveiled its new, lie-flat Business Class seat, which will offer 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.
Corporate Communications & Media
Oman Air
© Press Release 2009
