Tag Archives: Muscat

Air India Express has a line-up of destinations for route expansion.

Air India Express starts Tiruchi-Dammam flights

Air India Express yesterday started flights on the Tiruchi-Dammam sector.

The airline’s flight IX 927 left Tiruchi airport around 6 a.m. with 113 passengers on board to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, said airport sources. The airline will operate bi-weekly services in the Tiruchi-Dammam-Tiruchi sector on Thursdays and Sundays.

As per the schedule, the flight from Tiruchi will leave at 6.05 a.m. (local time) and reach Dammam at 9.10 a.m. (local time). The flight from Dammam will leave at 10.10 a.m. (local time) and reach Tiruchi at 5.40 p.m. (local time). It will be operated with a Boeing 737 aircraft.

The airline operates direct flight services from Tiruchi to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat, and Kuwait in the West Asian region. The new flight service to Dammam will be the seventh destination in that region to be covered by the airline from Tiruchi.

‘We are familiar with pioneering new waters’

With Resorts World Cruises making its debut in the Gulf region, Indian travellers will have an added layer to their overall experience in the region. Brimming with excitement, Naresh Rawal, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Resorts World Cruises (South Asia and Middle East), Resorts World Cruises, spoke to Disha Shah Ghosh about this new opportunity to bring the expansive Asian hospitality to one of the global melting point of Dubai.

Q. At the cusp of launching the Gulf sailings, what are your sentiments for foraying into new waters?
The feedback and demand on the ground from both the local and fly-cruise market, be it from the trade, customers and overall in general are very positive, as we are set to introduce a unique brand of cruising with round trip cruises from Dubai to Sir Bani Yas, Doha, Khasab and Muscat. We are excited and highly optimistic of the strong prospect and new opportunities that await us in the Gulf region.

Q. How challenging is this opportunity, considering your experience has always been Asia centric, and even Resorts World has been a known brand in this region?
We are up for the challenge as pioneering new waters is something we are very familiar with. As a group, we have decades of valuable experience and skillsets in the hospitality, entertainment and cruising sector, which enabled us to cater to different markets effectively. Our progression to the Gulf is timely and we are looking forward to delivering various customised offerings that we have outlined for the upcoming homeport deployment in Dubai.

Q. With Dubai as home-port, you will be competing with larger ships deployed by your contemporaries. What is your strategy to establish a foothold in this market, and the kind of passenger count you are looking at in the first year of operations?
For us here at Resorts World Cruises, we know Asia best. We are offering a unique brand of Asian cruising experience, coupled with our renowned Asian hospitality and best in class services, which we feel will set us apart from other brands. Our goal is to ensure we deliver offerings that matter to the target market such as providing certified Halal cuisines, Muslim-friendly offerings and exciting customised entertainment for the region.

Q. The ship will introduce lesser-known Sir Bani Yas Island. At a time when the Indian traveller is spoilt for choice, how do your plan to position such unique sailing ports in India?
Resorts World Cruises is about introducing new destinations and creating new demand. Sir Bani Yas island is truly a beautiful island with a wide variety of attractions and we are constantly working very closely with the local authorities to highlight and promote the island. We are also enhancing the overall experience with fun-filled onboard activities that will be brought from ship to shore. It will be a colourful and memorable experience.

Q. What are some of the ship enhancements implemented to tap HNIs from India?
Dubai is already a popular tourist destination for many HNIs from India. The commencement of Resorts World One on November 1, also coincides with Diwali, , which will also attract a wider expat demographic in the region and the inbound fly- cruise segment to Dubai.

Aboard the Resorts World One, we have specially curated performances and unexpected entertainment, inspired by the Gulf and across Asia. With the first departure coinciding with the Diwali festive celebrations, guests from the Gulf and across Asia will get to personally experience the Festival of Light on the Resorts World One, as the ship will be colourfully decorated and brightly lit with exciting Diwali inspired activities, entertainment, “Gujarat food festival”, sweets and desserts during the entire week of celebration.

Catch the onboard day to night parties for the best time of your life, starting with the high energy ‘Dazzling Departure Party’ packed with music and entertainers. Enjoy the captivating ‘Twilight Soirée’ – featuring a mesmerizing dinner show party that will elevate your senses; or experience the magical Arabian culture, tradition, music and colours with the ‘Enchanting Arabian Nights Party’ or the ‘Sand & Oasis Party’ under the starry nights. Continue to dance the night away to your favourite tunes at the ‘Bollywood Party’ and for more amazing experiences, don’t miss the bubble-licious ‘Foam Party’; water-splashing ‘Rain Party’; ‘Family Pyjama Party under the Stars’ and more.

The ship will also offer vegetarian and Jain cuisine for the convenience of guests from India.

Q. What activities have been chalked out for travel trade engagement jointly with the tourism promotion agencies of Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Khasab and Muscat since these destinations along with Dubai are actively working in India?
We are working hand-in-hand with the different tourism boards to promote the respective cruising destinations through various A&P platforms, media and key influencers. The support from the various tourism bodies has been very positive in India, and we will continue to collaborate on joint promotions to develop the cruise sector in the Gulf region.

SalamAir starts 2 weekly flights on Muscat-Delhi route

SalamAir has started operate twice-weekly flights from Muscat to Delhi, with services on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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 travellers, and business professionals alike.

 

SalamAir to launch direct flights on Muscat-Chennai route from July 11

SalamAir is set to launch direct flights from Muscat to Chennai from July 11. The airline will operate these flights on Thursdays and Saturdays.

The flight from Muscat will depart at 11 pm and arrive in Chennai at 4.15 pm, while on the return leg flight from Chennai will take off at 5 am and land in Muscat at 7.25 am.

“We are thrilled to introduce our new service to Chennai, a significant milestone that enhances the connectivity of the South Indian community in Oman and the wider Gulf region,” Harish Kutty, Director of Revenue and Network Planning for SalamAir, said in a statement.

 

SalamAir to connect with New Delhi with Muscat from July 2

Starting July 2, 2024, SalamAir will operate two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays to the Indian capital.
The introduction of flights to Delhi marks a significant milestone for SalamAir as the airline continues to expand its network to meet the growing demand for affordable and convenient travel options to the Sultanate. This new route is expected to enhance connections between Oman and India, providing more travel options for the expat community, leisure travellers, and business professionals, as well as supporting cultural exchange and fostering economic collaboration.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new direct flights from Delhi to Muscat,” said Mazin Al Salmani, Director of Sales, SalamAir. “This new route underscores our commitment to expanding our network and offering our passengers more convenient and affordable travel options. We look forward to welcoming travellers aboard and providing them with our exceptional service and hospitality.”

Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director of Aeroprime Group GSA, SalamAir, said, ‘’We are proud to support SalamAir in launching their upcoming new route to New Delhi. This expansion strengthens the bond between Oman and India and enhances travel options for travellers. We are committed to ensuring that passengers enjoy seamless and affordable travel experiences with SalamAir.”

For the cruise biz, it is important to expand home port deployment: RWC on Arabian Gulf foray

Cashing on the popularity of UAE as a primere short-haul outbound market for the Indian traveller, Resorts World Cruises (RWC) is set to offer shorter two- and three-nights itineraries with Dubai as a home port starting October this year.

The two-year old company unveiled its Arabian Gulf itineraries for ‘Resorts World One’ to the Indian travel trade at a glittering event in Mumbai at the St. Regis.

Upbeat about this new product, Michael Goh, President, Resorts World One, said, “We are really excited about this new development, and are positive that this will be a success story in India. We are giving passengers to sail two or three-nights or combine the itineraries and cruise for five to seven nights. India is going to be our key fly-cruise source market, especially for family travel, couples, MICE and special interest groups. For the cruise business, it is important to expand home port deployment.”

Sharing his views, Naresh Rawal, Vice President – Sales, Resorts World Cruises, stated, “India contributes one third of our cruise passengers out of Singapore. Resorts World One will debut in the Arabian Gulf for October 18, 2024 to April 2025 season, with options of Sunday, Wednesday and Friday sailing with departures at 9pm, allowing convenient fly-in and fly-out choices. This will work well for families since it will give them time to bond during a short vacation to the UAE.”

Resorts World One has the capacity to host 1,854 guests, and onboard announcements will be made in English and Arabic. Adhering to the norms, meat served on the ship will he Halal-certified, and no pork will be available for consumption onboard. The all-inclusive ‘The Palace’ will offer 42 suites with a private butler service for HNIs.

The two-night sailings to the exclusive Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, will give passengers an up-close and personal experience of the wildlife. On a three-night sojourn, port of calls at Muscat and Khasab in Oman will offer the best views of the Gulf of Oman, while the two-night Doha cruise will give a peak into the Kingdom’s evolution as tourism hub.

With regards to visa, Indian travellers wanting to sail from Dubai need multiple-entry visa for the UAE, and land permits for Oman and Qatar sailings.

Resorts World Cruises will continue to engage in India through their PSA network is hopeful that the Arabian Gulf sailings will complement their Singapore deployments.