the goan I network
PANAJI
Recently, Oman Air has increased its weekly frequency from 126 to 161 flights per week between Oman and its 11 destinations in India. After this announcement, Oman Air’s frequency has increased from two to three flights per day to Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad, from one flight to three flights per day to Calicut and from 11 flights to 14 flights per week to Lucknow.
Ihab A Sorial, senior vice president “ international sales, Oman Air, said, “India has huge potential for Oman Air. The potential is not just between Oman and India, but also beyond, as we have a lot of traffic and business with Europe, Gulf and Africa as well. Through us, Indian travellers can travel to all these destinations.”
Sorial was in Goa, as Oman Air had a business meet in the state. The meet also saw the presence of Sunil V.A. (senior manager sales “ Indian subcontinent) and Bhanu Kaila (country manager “ India).
The growth in weekly frequencies of Oman Air to India is the result of a recently signed agreement between the governments of Oman and India, where both the sides have agreed to increase the weekly seats.
Meanwhile, Oman Air has recently launched its inaugural flight to Nairobi in Kenya on March 28.
Similarly, the airline will launch a new daily flight between Muscat and Manchester on May 1. This daily service from Oman Air will be in addition to the double daily flight from London Heathrow, which makes Manchester the only airport outside of London to have direct flights to Muscat.
When asked if there are expansion plans on Goa route, Sorial said, “We have done very well on Goa route, as we started it only two years ago. When we start on a particular route, the first step is to make people aware of our product and network, which we have done. Now, the next step is to get into segmentation and also to focus more on long haul destinations like Europe.”
He continued, “After this, the next step will be increasing frequency on Goa route, which will depend on govt entitlements.”
