WOO English March 2016

The inflight magazine of Oman Air | March 2016 | Your Copy To Keep
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Marhaba
It is a great pleasure to welcome you, our respected guests, aboard
your Oman Air flight.
Oman Air’s current ambitious expansion programme is continuing to
bear fruit for our customers. Over the last year, we have launched
new services to the exciting destinations of Singapore, Goa and
Dhaka. This year, we will launch more new destinations, including our
first service to China. We look forward to telling you more about these
new routes as we get closer to the launch dates.
We have also increased frequencies on a number of our established
routes. You can now enjoy daily or double-daily services to all 11
of our destinations in India. And in October, we also increased the
number of services we operate from Muscat to Paris from four to five
per week.
Now I am pleased to announce an expansion of one of the most
popular and in-demand routes within our network. Our daily
service between Muscat and London Heathrow is set to increase to
double-daily from the 11 April 2016. The popularity of Muscat as a
destination for UK travellers has never been greater. Furthermore,
the longstanding links between the UK and Oman ensure that London
remains one of the most popular destinations for Omani travellers.
In addition, customers flying to and from other destinations within
our growing international network will enjoy greater choice and
convenience, as well as easier connections at Muscat. For the time
being, our second frequency will depart London Heathrow’s Terminal
4, whilst our existing service will continue to operate from Terminal
3. However, the two services will be brought together under one roof
at the earliest opportunity. Tickets are now on sale online or through
your travel agent.
This new service will undoubtedly help to increase the number
of visitors we welcome to Oman. Indeed, visitor numbers have
increased significantly over the last year and, for the first time, Muscat
International Airport welcomed more than 10 million customers
in 2015. So, as the Sultanate of Oman’s reputation as a beautiful,
welcoming and hospitable destination continues to grow, there really
is no better time than now to book with Oman Air.
As from May 2016, the Sultanate of Oman will introduce Electronic
Visa facilities for visitors of many countries. This is a great step
forward, making the travel for our respected guests even more
convenient. In the next issue of “Wings of Oman” we will inform you
further or visit website www.rop.gov.om.
Moreover, if you book your ticket via www.omanair.com, you will also
find outstanding deals on car rental at your chosen destination. After
signing an agreement at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel fair, Sixt
has become Oman Air’s preferred supplier. They offer a best-price
guarantee, alongside bonus miles and up to 15 per cent discount on
rentals for members of our Sindbad frequent flyer programme. Sixt
shares Oman Air’s commitment to quality and customer choice, and I
am pleased to recommend the company to you.
I thank you for choosing to fly with us and wish you a relaxing and
enjoyable flight.
Paul Gregorowitsch
Chief Executive Officer
World’s Leading Airline
Economy Class 2014 & 2015
World’s Leading Airport Lounge
Business Class 2015
Best Airline Staff Service
Middle East 2014 & 2015

Navigation
9
Diary
A wrap up of what
festivals, events
and sports are
happening around
the world this month
Must See:
Oman
Muttrah Souq
15
16
Check In
The Land of Forts
and Castles: Oman’s
masterpieces of
architecture and design
Check Out:
Mumbai: 20
Experiences in
India’s city of
fashion, film, and fun
20

Navigation
26
The Great
Pyramid of Giza:
The greatest humanbuilt
structure on earth?
Mountains,
Deserts, Seas:
The Sultanate of
Oman’s natural
treasures
30
42
Oman Air News:
Oman Air’s news and events
Also…
Path to Success (32)
Family Traveller (34)
Oman View (36)
Travel Guide (38)
Welcome Aboard (40)
Programme for the
Endorsement of
Forest Certification
Forest
Stewardship
Council
Please
recycle after
use
The paper used for Wings of Oman Magazine is duly certified by the PEFC
and FSC, and contains FSC mix pulp, FSC recycled pulp, FSC controlled wood
pulp, and pre-consumer reclaimed papers. The PEFC is an international nonprofit
non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting good practice
in the forest, throughout the entire forest supply chain, to ensure that timber
and non-timber forest products are produced with respect for the highest
ecological, social and ethical standards. The FSC is an international, nongovernmental
organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management
of the world’s forests.
Oman Air’s inflight magazine is issued by :
Corporate Communications &
Media Department - Oman Air
P.O. Box 58, Muscat International Airport,
Postal Code 111, Sultanate of Oman
Tel: +968 24519616, Fax: +968 24510771
E-mail: wings@omanair.com
Website:omanair.com
For advertising enquiries contact the
publisher:
National Publishing &
Advertising LLC
P.O. Box 3112, P.C. 112, Ruwi
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Tel: +968 24793098, Fax: +968 24708445
Email: advertising@npaoman.com
Editorial
Editing Director
Paul Winter
paul.winter@npaoman.com
Mohammad Abu Al Majd
Client Relationship Manager
Ali Hussain Al Balushi
Client Servicing Executive
Ruwayda Al Barwani
Designers
Justin Das
Mohammad Asif
Media Manager –
Advertising & Marketing
Vijay Murkute
advertising@npaoman.com
Photographic Contributors
GettyImages/Shutterstock/iStock
Active Holiday Company
(www.activeholidaycompany.com)
Amsterdam Coffee Festival
(www.amsterdamcoffeefestival.com)
BIFF and BIL Fashion Show
(www.biffandbil.com)
Darryl MacDonald
(www.ClearBluePhoto.com)
Dubai International Boat Show
(www.boatshowdubai.com)
Environment Society of Oman
(www.eso.org.om)
Extreme Sailing Series
(www.extremesailingseries.com)
Identita Milano Food Festival
(www.identitagolose.com)
John Berthold (www.johnberthold.com)
Khalid Al Busaidi
(www.instagram.com/khalid_albusaidi)
Luminale Light Show
(www.light-building.messefrankfurt.com)
Musandam Sea Adventure Travel & Tourism
(www.msaoman.com)
Nemo Science Center (www.e-nemo.nl)
Singapore International Jazz Festival
(www.sing-jazz.com)
Track Cycling World Championships
(www.trackcyclingworlds2016.london)
Twenty20 Cricket World Cup
(www.icc-cricket.com)
The publisher regrets that they cannot accept
liability for errors or omissions contained in
this publication, however caused. The opinions
and views contained in this publication are not
necessarily those of the publisher.

Diary
Singapore International Jazz Festival
Where: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
When: 4 March – 6 March
What: ‘Singjazz’ is set to return for its third
successive year to Singapore’s Marina Bay
Sands this month. You can expect to be charmed
and swayed by a heady mix of live music from a
selection of some of the jazz world’s finest artists
at the festival – including the legendary Buena
Vista Social Club, who will be on their last ever
world-wide tour.
Oman Air flies 7 times a week between
Muscat/Singapore
‘Identita’ Milano Food Festival
Where: Milan, Italy
When: 6 March – 8 March
What: The popular ‘Identita’ Milano food festival
returns to the northern Italian city this month
and promises to once again deliver three days of
fantastic food – from the best chefs in the business.
The theme for the festival this year is ‘The Strength
of Freedom’ which aims to celebrate the cultural
and knowledge exchanges that occur in kitchens
all around the world. The third day of the festival
will conclude with shows dedicated to fine pastry
making and chocolate. Make sure you’re there.
Your taste buds will thank you for it!
Oman Air flies 7 times a week between
Muscat/Milan
Festivals around the world
Java Jazz Festival
(4 March – 6 March, Jakarta, Indonesia).
Wanderland Music and Arts Festival
(5 March, Manila, Philippines).
Holi Festival of Colours
(23 March, Mumbai and throughout India).
Amsterdam Coffee Festival
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
When: 18 March – 20 March
What: Coffee is more than just a drink. It’s the centre of
a vibrant, creative lifestyle with a unique atmosphere
that’s shaped by the people that are so passionate about
it, say the organisers of the Amsterdam Coffee Festival.
The festival will feature all the latest goods and trends
in the coffee industry, and will be a place where you can
share your knowledge of coffee brewing, and party with
like-minded lovers of this massively popular drink.
Oman Air flies 5 times a week between Muscat/
Amsterdam (via code share flights with KLM)
9

Diary
Dubai International Boat Show
Where: Dubai, UAE
When: 1 March – 5 March
What: At this month’s Dubai
International Boat Show, you and
your friends will be able to experience
first-hand, more than 430 of the finest
super yachts and leisure craft from
across the globe, as well as a selection
of leading brands of lifestyle goods. It’s
basically set to be five days of sheer
boating luxury and class. Also, new
features for the 2016 event will be
‘fishing rod casting’ and ‘boat winching’
competitions, as well as fishing and
sailing trips, jetski stunt shows, fashion
shows, and much more.
Oman Air flies 70 times a week
between Muscat/Dubai (including
code share flights with Emirates)
‘BIFF and BIL’
Fashion Show
Where: Bangkok, Thailand
When: 12 March – 13 March
What: The 34th ‘Biff and Bil’
– the Bangkok International
Fashion Fair and Bangkok
International Leather Fair 2016
– are where the manufacturers
from the ASEAN country’s
fashion and leather industries
will be showcasing some of their
best designs and innovations
this month. The theme will be
‘Catching the Creative Spirit’
and will focus on the exciting
upsurge in creativity and design
within the ASEAN country’s
fashion and leather industries.
(The show will be open to the
general public from the 12th to
the 13th March).
Oman Air flies 17 times
a week between Muscat/
Bangkok (including code
share flights with Thai
Airways)
Events around the world
Classic Car Restoration Show
(5 March – 6 March, Birmingham,
England).
Italian Cooking Convention
(6 March – 8 March, Milan, Italy).
Art Dubai (16 March – 19 March,
Dubai, UAE).
Luminale Light Show
Where: Frankfurt, Germany
When: 13 March – 18 March
What: As part of Frankfurt’s ‘Light+Building’
trade fair this month, the city will also be
transformed into an ‘international metropolis
of light’. This is because a selection of
Frankfurt’s top lighting designers, architects
and artists will put on over 200 lighting and
special effects shows around dozens of the
city’s buildings, in the evenings. If you’re in
Frankfurt, don’t miss out. And don’t forget
your camera!
Oman Air flies 7 times a week between
Muscat/Frankfurt
11

Diary
Track Cycling World Championships
Where: London, England
When: 2 March – 6 March
What: ‘Stripes will be earned. World titles
will be won.’ That’s the message from the
organisers of the UCI Track Cycling World
Championships, which will be going ahead
at London’s famous Lee Valley VeloPark
this month. This is the event where you
can watch sporting history being made
as the world’s fittest and fastest track
cycling sprinters race for the sport’s
coveted rainbow jerseys – the distinctive
multi-coloured jerseys which are worn by
reigning world champions.
Oman Air flies 7 times a week between
Muscat/London
Extreme Sailing Series Act 1, Muscat
Where: Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
When: 16 March – 19 March
What: This month, the Extreme Sailing Series starts its 2016 season
with a Middle Eastern flavour, with Muscat being confirmed as the host
city for ‘Act 1’. To celebrate what is now the tenth year of the event,
there will be an introduction of a fleet of ultra-fast, GC32 hydro-foiling
catamarans and an additional set of open water races. These will no
doubt give the skippers and the crews some tough new challenges.
On day one of the event, the fleet will race in front of the historic city
of Muttrah. There will then be three days of spectacular stadium-style
racing in front of the Almouj Golf Club, just outside of Muscat.
Twenty20 Cricket World Cup
Where: Throughout India
When: 8 March – 3 April
What: The first match of this year’s
T20 Cricket World Cup is set to be
played between Zimbabwe and Hong
Kong at Nagpur on the 8th March, this
month. The final then takes place on
the 3rd of April at the Eden Gardens
ground in Kolkata. For the second
time, the tournament features 16
teams – including the six Associate
Member teams of Scotland, Ireland, the
Netherlands, Afghanistan, Hong Kong
and Oman, who all qualified through the
2015 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. Sri
Lanka are the defending champs.
Oman Air flies 49 times a week to 11
destinations throughout India
Sport around the world
Subic Bay Ironman Triathlon (6 March, Subic Bay, Manilla, Philippines).
Superbike World Championship (11 March – 13 March, Chang International Circuit, Thailand).
Zurich Marathon (13 March, Zurich, Switzerland).
Head of the River Rowing Race (19 March, London, England).
Electric Run (26 March, Amsterdam, Netherlands).
13

Must See Oman
Muttrah Souq
Latitude: 23° 37’ 13” N
Longitude: 58° 33’ 52” E
The Muttrah Souq, located in Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, is a relic of Oman’s age-old trading and maritime
history. It is a labyrinth of pathways and concealed alleys, containing dozens of tiny shopfronts and stores. Here
you can find hidden treasures of all types – from Arabian antiques, to traditional Omani household goods like
Frankincense, to brilliantly colourful textiles, gold and silver jewellery, Khanjar daggers, perfumes, traditional Omani
dress items – and much more. The market is cherished by locals, and a very popular destination for tourists.
1 The Muttrah Souq is one of the oldest marketplaces in
the Arab world. This is due to it being at a key location
for trade and commerce during what have been
hundreds of years of Indian Ocean trade.
2 The main walkway through the souq is where you’ll find
the most touristy (and usually pricey) shops. From here,
it splits off into a seemingly endless array of sections, all
divided up according to what type of goods are for sale.
It’s easy to get lost. But that’s also part of the fun.
3 A popular part of the souq is the Muttrah Gold Souq,
where you’ll find dozens of gold and silver merchants
trading their wares. It is accessed to the right, off the
main walkway, just after the main entrance.
4 The souq tends to be least crowded in the mornings and
late afternoons, and busiest in the evenings, after 6pm.
5 Searching for a budget-friendly souvenir to take home?
Keep these in mind: Frankincense or Bukhoor incense,
Omani Kumah cap, traditional ‘Assa’ walking stick, or a
bowl of the spicy-sweet ‘Halwa’. More pricy items could
include an antique silver Omani Khanjar dagger, luxury
oud perfume, or some of the fine jewellery available at
the Gold Souq.
6 After visiting the souq, you can take a walk along the
famous Muttrah Corniche for a breath of fresh Indian
Ocean Air and views of the Port Sultan Qaboos harbour
– and very often, traditional wooden Omani dhows,
moored just offshore.
7 Al Dhalam, which describes ‘Darkness’ in Arabic, is
the local name used for the souq, and refers to the
passages and stores of the souq that weren’t exposed to
sunlight during the day, and which had to be lit up with
candlelight lamps in past times.
8 The original souq building was constructed from a mud/
clay mixture and date palm leaves, which made for
an efficient insulation from hot summer temperatures.
Nowadays, the market’s buildings are made with
modern materials, but the old, classic-style architecture
remains.
9 Muttrah Castle, another highlight in the area, lies on a
rocky hill overlooking the harbour, a few minutes’ walk
from the souq. It was originally constructed and occupied
by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century, but later
taken over by the ruling Oman elite.
10 How good are your bargaining skills? As the Souq is
very popular with tourists, prices tend to be high. So
arm yourself with an open mind, and your sharpest
bargaining skills!
Muttrah Souq is located opposite the Muttrah Corniche
(opposite the pedestrian traffic lights), at Muscat’s Port
Sultan Qaboos harbour.
• The Souq is open daily, from early morning until late in
the evening (with a break for lunch).
15

Check In
The Land of Forts and Castles: Oman’s
masterpieces of architecture and design
Each one of the magnificent forts and castles located around the Sultanate of Oman is evidence of the high levels
of engineering, architecture, and military design that the rulers of old possessed. For locals and for visitors to
the Sultanate, they offer a fascinating glimpse into past times, and the chance to travel back in time through the
region’s rich history.
In Oman, the terms ‘Fort’ and ‘Castle’ tend to be used
interchangeably, and although there are dozens located around the
Sultanate of Oman, most of them are clustered in and around the
northern third of the country, due to various geopolitical and historical
reasons. Here are ten of the highlights…
Bahla Fort: As of 1987, Bahla Fort was included in the UNESCO
World Heritage Sites List. If you plan to visit only one fort in Oman,
come to Bahla Fort. After many years of restoration, the fort is now
one of the most comprehensive and magnificent examples of military
architecture in Oman. The fort sits on a rocky hill at the highest point
Nakhal Fort, with its magnificent views of
the surrounding villages and mountains
16

Check In
in the Bahla oasis, which would have provided its original inhabitants
an excellent lookout point for any potential attackers. The original fort
is said to have been built by the Al Nebhan dynasty, which lasted for
around 500 years, beginning around the middle of the 12th century.
Location: Bahla, in the A’Dakhiliyah Governorate
Nakhal Fort: Nakhal Fort is positioned on a rocky outcrop at
the base of Mount Nakhal. In fact, as you walk from level to level
around the fort, you can see very clearly how it is actually cleverly
designed around this rocky terrain. From the fort’s towers, visitors
can get spectacular views and photos of the surrounding date palm
plantations, villages, and nearby mountains. When you’re here, try
spend a few minutes relaxing in one of the sitting rooms. You’ll feel
the natural cooling provided by the fort’s thick earth and stone walls,
and its carefully positioned windows, which allow the breeze in.
As you explore different parts of the fort, and experience the
pleasant, earthy smell of the fort’s courtyards and passageways;
and the sight of its sheer walls and towering bastions; and feel the
solid building structure underneath your feet; and the coolness of the
rooms, which are insulated from the heat by thick stone and earth
walls; and then the views of the surrounding area as you finally make
your way up each level of the fort to the lookout towers – you realise
that the way of life in the forts during these old times, which were
when a powerful, wealthy Arabian culture living in turbulent times at
the crossroads of Asia and Europe, must have been something really
unique and special.
Add to this the fact that the fort has its own set of distinctive defense
features – like interior water wells, false security doors, secret shafts
and trapdoors used to pour boiling oil or date syrup onto attackers –
and a visit becomes not only a fun site-seeing trip, but an entertaining
education in Oman’s military prowess and thinking of the past.
Location: Nakhal, in the Al Batinah Governorate
Nizwa Fort: Nizwa Fort, which was built in the middle of the 17th
century on top of the remains of a 9th century castle, is probably the
most visited and popular fort in Oman due to its spectacular main
tower, which is 43 metres in diameter and 24 metres high – and it’s
easy accessibility via road from Muscat. The fort has seven water
wells and is linked with the adjacent castle via a set of intricate
corridors. Once you’ve explored the fort and castle, you can also have
a look around the charming Nizwa Souq. Location: Nizwa, in the
A’Dakhliyah Governorate
Sohar Fort (currently closed for renovations): While Sohar Fort
is currently closed for renovations, it is considered one of the most
‘A visit to a fort is not only a fun site-seeing trip, but an
entertaining education in Oman’s military prowess’
Muttrah Fort
17

Check In
Nizwa Fort
important forts in Oman due to the significant role it played in the
Al Batinah North Governorate’s history over the past few centuries
– and cannot be left out of any list of important forts in Oman.
Archaeological excavations show that it was originally completed in
the fourteenth century. The fort’s museum contains historical relics
from Sohar City, and information about the role that the copper trade
in Sohar played in Oman’s history (and even the history of faraway
places like Canton/Guangzhou in China). Location: Sohar, in the Al
Batinah Governorate
Fiqayn Fort: This tall, narrow, four-storied fort looks like a piece
of architecture that you might find in a fairytale story. As you ascend
higher and higher through each level, the views of the farms and
village of the surrounding Wilayt of Manah, where the fort is located,
become ever more impressive. Location: Wilayt Manah, in the
A’Dakhiliyah Governorate
Muttrah Fort: Located on top of a rocky, narrow hill, Muttrah Fort
has overlooked Muscat’s natural harbour – now named Port Sultan
Qaboos – since the late 1600s, when it was built by the Portuguese
invaders. It is an icon in the area, and although it is generally closed
to visitors these days, it is possible to climb the stairs leading up to
its entrance for beautiful views (and photographs) of the harbour and
corniche below. Location: Muttrah, in the Muscat Governorate
Rustaq Fort: The massive Al Rustaq Fort is one of the older
forts in Oman, and was rebuilt into its present state during the 16th
century. (In fact, archaeologists say that Rustaq was built on the site
of an even earlier fort). One of Rustaq’s quirky defense features is
its second set of imposing-looking inner walls, which are obscured
from any outside view. The castle was designed this way to confuse
any potential invaders. The fort has four large towers – the tallest
of which is around 18 metres high, as well as an armoury, an
in-built falaj water system, a dungeon, and a mosque. Don’t visit
Rustaq without visiting the fort! Location: Rustaq, in the Al Batinah
Governorate
Hazm Castle: Built in 1711 by the Immam Sultan bin Seif the
second, Hazm Castle is an outstanding example of Omani Islamic
design. One of the unique architectural features of the castle is
that each room’s roof is held up by a set of columns, instead of the
usual ceiling rafters. It also has an extensive network of tunnels
and dungeons, and a selection of beautifully carved wooden doors.
Location: Near Rustaq, in the Al Batinah Governorate
Jabrin Castle: Jabrin is one of the most beautifully designed and
furnished castles in Oman, and contains several architectural details
that make it an authentic expression of Omani craftsmanship. The
castle includes the ‘Sun and Moon Room’, which was the room where
the Immam met important visitors, and the interesting ‘Immam
Protection Room’, which was built in a way that allowed the Immam’s
personal bodyguards to hide under, while he went ahead with
meetings with anyone he did not trust. Location: Jabrin, near Bahla,
in the A’Dakhiliyah Governorate
Jalali Fort and Mirani Fort: The pair of Jalali and Mirani Forts
are built on rocky outcrops in old Muscat, overlooking the Sea of
Oman, and within sight of each other. Jalali Fort was originally built by
the Portuguese in the 1587, but later fell to Omani forces in 1650. In
later years, the fort was extensively rebuilt. In the early 1980s, it was
converted into a private museum of Omani cultural history. Mirani
Fort, the smaller of the two forts, was also built by the Portuguese
invaders around the same time, before being taken over by the later
Omani rulers. It currently serves as an administrative building for the
government, and isn’t open to the public. Location: Old Muscat, in
the Muscat Governorate
Musandam Forts: Khasab and Bakha
Khasab Fort: The 17th century Khasab Fort is located in Oman’s
northern Musandam Peninsula enclave, overlooking the Strait of
Hormuz, and features a simple, central tower surrounded by a
square-shaped outer wall. There’s also a charming museum here,
displaying relics of old Khasab life.
Bakha Fort: The most striking feature of Bakha Fort is its large,
pear-shaped main watchtower, which was cleverly designed by Saif
bin Sultan al Yarubi in the 17th century. The purpose of its rounded
shape was to deflect cannon fire from any enemy ships who might
attack from the sea.
Bahla Fort
Khasab Fort
18

Check Out
Mumbai’s spectacular Gateway to India
Mumbai: 20 Experiences in
India’s city of fashion, film, and fun
Mumbai is currently doing the rounds in the international media as a top destination to travel to in 2016. It’s
India’s powerhouse of fashion, finance, film, and fun. If you’re planning on visiting this year, here are twenty
top things to see and do.
1. Shop at the markets: Colaba Causeway is a shopping experience
like no other in Mumbai and probably the most popular market for
tourists. You can pick up almost anything here – including a meal from
some famous eateries like Leopold’s Cafe or Cafe Mondegar. But don’t
forget Chor Bazaar for antiques, Linking Road for fashion and home
goods, Crawford Market for fruit and flowers, and Fashion Street for the
latest fashion brands (both real, and fake!)
2. Take a ‘Victoria’ carriage ride: Mumbai’s Queen Victoria-era
horse and carriages have been plying the city’s streets since British
colonial times. You can still enjoy a ride on one, but bear in mind that
the Bombay High Court recently declared that the practice was in some
cases cruel to the horses involved, and were considering banning the
practice.
3. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Elephanta
Island: Elephanta Island, in the city’s central bay area, is a small island
filled with ancient archaeological remains and a collection of rock art
linked to the cult of Shiva. The highlight is the huge, rock-cut Elephanta
Caves.
20
The popular Haji Ali Dargah mosque
‘Mumbai has some kind of organised tour
experience for everyone’

Check Out
4. Watch Bollywood films at Mumbai’s cinemas:
Watching a Bollywood film at one of the city’s legendary cinema
venues is an essential and unforgettable experience. Try the Liberty,
G7, Ebony Lounge at Metro Big Cinemas, PVR Juhu and PVR
Phoenix, or the much-loved budget venue INOX Santacruz.
5. Enjoy the festivals: Whether it’s the Holi Festival of Colours,
Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi – or some of the many other festivals
taking place each year in India – Mumbai is the perfect place to
experience and enjoy them.
6. See the Bollywood stars: Along Mumbai’s Bandstand
promenade at Bandra West, you can join dozens of groups of
teenagers and fans every day as they wait outside the luxurious
villas known to house several of the city’s legendary Bollywood
stars.
7. Marvel at the Gateway to India: The Gateway to India is
a monument built during British Rule in Mumbai. It’s perched on the
edge of the waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai,
overlooking the Arabian Sea. It’s a magnificent structure, and
the city’s top tourist attraction – and absolutely worth a visit. The
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel – the exquisite historical hotel which was
opened in 1903 – is nearby.
8. Breathe fresh sea air at the Bandstand Promenade:
The Bandstand Promenade is a kilometre-long walkway along
the seafront at Mumbai’s suburb of West Bandra. It is a popular
hangout spot for walkers, runners, families and young couples –
and the place you go to get a breath of fresh Arabian Sea air.
9. Cross the Bandra-Worli Sea Link: This recently built
cable and concrete bridge links Bandra in the Western Suburbs of
Mumbai with Worli in South Mumbai. Besides drastically reducing
travel time between the two regions, it offers spectacular views of
the city – especially at sunrise and sunset.
10. Do a cultural tour: From a ‘World of Bollywood’ tour, to a
‘Slumgods’ tour, to a huge range of food tours, bicycle tours, boat
tours, heritage walks, night time tours, and many, many more –
Mumbai has some kind of organised tour experience for everyone.
Mumbai is the perfect place to experience
India’s religious and cultural festivals
The UNESCO World Heritage
Site of Elephanta Island
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Mumbai has one of the world’s great
nightlife and entertainment cultures
11. Explore Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu
Sangrahalaya Museum: Formerly known as the Prince of
Wales Museum of Western India, this is the premier art and history
museum in Mumbai, which houses a high-quality collection of over
60 000 objects.
12. Experience Mumbai nightlife: As one of the greatest
cities on the planet, Mumbai also has one of the world’s great
nightlife cultures. From multi-level super-clubs, to tiny late-night
restaurants just off the street, to high-end luxury lounge bars, to
packed-out live music venues – Mumbai has it all. There’s also a
huge theatre and performing-arts scene.
13. Explore the streetfood: To get the real flavour of what’s
unique to Mumbai, you will have to explore and experience
Mumbai’s street food scene. This is when you can sample dishes
like the delicious Pav Bhaji (mashed vegetables cooked in spices,
topped with butter), Vada Pav (mashed potato patty served with
various chutneys), Bhel Puri (puffed rice and spices with a few
chutneys), or the countless variations of chaat – the famous Indian
savoury dish, which goes by several different names in Mumbai.
14. Watch a cricket match: Mumbai is crazy about cricket,
and the place to go to watch local or international games is either
the famous Wankhede, or Brabourne stadiums.
15. Visit Haji Ali Dargah: The Dargah Sharief mosque and
tomb is built on a tiny islet 500 metres offshore of Mumbai’s
coastline in the middle of Worli Bay. More than 80 000 people
The extravagance
of a Bollywood
film set
reportedly visit Dargah every week. It was constructed in 1431
in memory of the wealthy Muslim merchant, Sayyed Peer Haji
Ali Shah Bukhari, who is said to have given up all his worldly
possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca.
16. Hang out at Chowpatty Beach: Chowpatty Beach is one
of the most popular beaches in Mumbai – famous for its street food
delicacies and glorious sunsets. A walk around Chowpatty in the
late afternoon to catch the sun going down is a must-do.
17. See the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat: A tour to this vast,
open air laundry provides a fascinating glimpse into the inner life of
the city. Dirty laundry from all over Mumbai is brought here every
day and hand washed by thousands of washermen, in a seemingly
endless number of concrete troughs.
22

Check Out
20. See the ISKCON temple: This is one of the most beautiful
of India’s Lord Krishna temples, and is visited by thousands of
devotees during festive occasions. It’s a magnificent example of
Hari Krishna architecture that anyone can appreciate.
Mumbai: City Facts
Travel Token: Gateway to India Souvenir
Looking for a travel souvenir to take home? The Gateway to India
is one of Mumbai’s favourite landmarks. Once you’ve seen it and
snapped some photos and selfies, the next thing to do is to purchase
a small souvenir Gateway to India statue to take back home.
They’re available wherever you go, and compact enough to pack
into your travel bag.
18. Marvel at the artwork at Jehangir Art Gallery:
This is the best place to see fine Indian art, with works by both
established and emerging artists.
19. Take a taxi drive along Marine Drive: Known as the
‘Queen’s Necklace’ due to its string of street lights that are lit up at
night, Marine Drive curves along the shore of the Arabian Sea, and
is best experienced first by taxi ride, followed by a quick walk along
its promenade.
Oman Air flies 14 times a week between Muscat/Mumbai
Visa Requirements: For information about travel visa requirements
for Mumbai and then rest of India, visit www.indianvisaonline.gov.in
Languages: The official language of Mumbai is Marathi. But the
cosmopolitan nature of Mumbai means that you’ll hear Gujarati,
Kannada, English, Telugu, Konkani, Dangii, Varhadii and Hindi all
being spoken.
Currency: The Indian Rupee (INR) is the official currency of India.
Coins are available in denominations of Rs1, Rs2, Rs5, and Rs10,
and banknotes come in denominations of Rs1, Rs2, Rs5, Rs10,
Rs20, Rs50, Rs100, Rs500, and Rs1000.
1 Indian Rupee (INR) = 0.0056 Omani Rial (OMR)
1 Indian Rupee (INR) = 0.015 United States Dollar (USD)
(February 2016)
To find out more about travelling to Mumbai visit
www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/destination/Mumbai
or www.incredibleindia.org
The famous Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus forms
part of many cultural tours around the city
24

Landmark Travels
The Great Pyramid of Giza:
The greatest human-built
structure on earth?
The Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Great Pyramid of Khufu) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids
in the Giza pyramid complex. Situated on the west bank of the Nile River, just outside Egypt’s sprawling capital of
Cairo, it continues to be visited by thousands of people every year. While tourism in Egypt has faced some challenges
in the recent past, the Great Pyramid of Giza can and should remain on any traveller’s must-do list.
You might have seen a thousand photographs of the Egyptian
pyramids, but nothing can really prepare you for the first time you
set eyes on what are arguably the greatest single buildings ever
erected on the planet. Towering over the edge of Cairo, these
iconic monuments represent the power and ambition of the ancient
Egyptians and their pharaohs.
The names of each pyramid in the Giza pyramid complex – Khufu
(being the largest), and the smaller Khafre, and Menkaure –
each correspond to the 4th Dynasty Kings for whom they were
built – a period which was around 4 500 years ago, according to
contemporary archaeological theory.
There have been many scientific and alternative ideas put forward,
along with several conspiracies and mysterious controversies, to
explain how the Great Pyramid was constructed, and for what
reason. And without a doubt, this adds to the allure of the site.
Most accepted theories these days are based on the idea that
the Great Pyramid and similar pyramids were labouriously built
by moving huge stones to the site from a nearby stone quarry
in the region, before teams of hundreds (even thousands), of
workers dragged and lifted them up into place. Egyptologists say
that approximately 2.3 million of these blocks of stone were cut,
transported, and assembled to create the Great Pyramid structure.
Originally, the Great Pyramid and other pyramids in the region were
covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface, and
what is seen today is the underlying core structure (some of these
casing stones can still be seen around the base of the pyramids).
Because of this, they no longer reach their original height. The Great
Pyramid, for example, is now only 138 metres high, instead of 147
metres.
26
For more information about the history of the Pyramids of Giza,
and other famous ruins in the area, visit whc.unesco.org/en/
list/86
For insights about visiting Egypt and the Giza Pyramid complex,
visit www.egypt.travel

Landmark Travels
We also know that each of the Great Pyramid’s corners is accurately
oriented to the four cardinal points of the compass, and that there are
three known chambers inside the Great Pyramid: The lowest chamber
is cut into the bedrock upon which the pyramid was built and is in fact
unfinished; and the so-called Queen’s Chamber and King’s Chamber are
higher up within the pyramid structure, and were created from huge
blocks of granite. All three pyramids were plundered both internally
and externally in ancient and medieval times, and the goods originally
deposited in each of these burial chambers are therefore now missing.
But several questions and mysteries about the Great Pyramid remain.
For example, some Egyptology experts point out that we are still
not certain as to how the massive stone blocks used to construct the
pyramid – some of which are said to weigh up to 50 tons – were cut
and quarried.
Also, the question remains as to how exactly the over-2 million, heavy
stone blocks used to construct the pyramid were transported to the
building site, and then how they were raised up to the structure’s
summit.
We also still don’t know how the Great Pyramid’s internal walls could
have such precise, perfectly-fitting joints, and with what ancient
engineering technology this could be achieved. Along with many
other mysteries, some experts also claim that we still do not know
what the exact purpose and function of the Great Pyramid was.
The mysteries will probably always remain. If you visit the Great
Pyramids complex in 2016, perhaps you won’t solve any of them
either, but you will be able to say that you’ve seen and explored
what is arguably the greatest human-built structure on earth, and
probably the greatest travel landmark and icon, too.
Travel wisely…
It’s been said that visiting the Great Pyramids complex these days
can be a testing affair for tourists. With an over-abundance of
local travel guides and tour operators in the area, and a limited
number of visitors to the pyramids every day, efforts to secure
your business can often seem overly aggressive. Unsuspecting
visitors can also be the victims of various travel scams. With
this in mind, it is highly advisable to visit the pyramids in a group
of people or via an organised tour, instead of alone; and to be
wary of doing business with any non-registered or non-official
individual or group.
28

Oman Adventure
Mountains, Deserts, Seas:
The Sultanate of Oman’s
natural treasures
Four-wheel-drive mountain adventure? Desert night safari? Diving trip to the islands? The Sultanate
of Oman’s mountains, deserts and seas are national treasures, and waiting for you to explore them.
or ‘Empty Quarter’ desert. Spending a night out under the stars
in Oman’s deserts is an experience not to be forgotten, especially
after you’ve just eaten authentic Bedouin food, and sipped cups of
Omani ‘khawah’ coffee, which has been freshly prepared over the
fire in the traditional way. And it’s possible at one of the several
luxury-style Bedouin camps located around the Sharqiyah Sands.
Off-road Mountain Adventure
Oman’s two main mountain ranges include the Al Hajar
Mountains, extending from the Musandam Peninsula in the north,
to Ras Al Hadd in the south; and the Dhofar Mountain Range
in the south of Oman. When you combine a four-wheel-drive
vehicle with almost any region in Oman, you’re guaranteed to
have a good time, but one of country’s classic, entry-level off-road
adventures is a drive up the famous Jebel Akhdar. Self-drive offroad
adventures can be done by hiring a four-wheel drive in one
of Oman’s main city centres, but there are also numerous tour
operators that offer guided off-road trips through some of Oman’s
most spectacular and rugged terrain.
Desert Night Safari
The Sultanate of Oman is home to two vast, sandy desert regions
– in the form of the Sharqiyah Sands Desert in the eastern part of
Oman, which runs in a north to south direction for around 10 000
kilometres; and the massive, southerly expanse of the Rub Al Khali
Diving Trip to the Islands
Oman’s underwater world is teaming with all kinds of marine
life, and there are dozens of well-established dive spots along
the country’s 3 000 kilometre-plus coastline. But for scuba
divers, a highlight is the group of nine Daymaniyat Islands, which
are accessed by boat a few kilometres offshore of Barka, near
Muscat. This is where scuba divers (and snorkellers) can explore
spectacular coral reefs, and get up close and personal with much
of the Sea of Oman’s sea-life – including the magnificent Whale
Shark, which are often spotted near the islands. The Sultanate’s
Musandam Peninsula enclave, on the northern tip of the Arabian
Peninsula, is another diving hotspot. Musandam’s fjord-like
‘khors’ and its sheer sea cliffs that drop directly into the sea offer
excellent wall dives.
30

Path to Success
ESO: The Sultanate’s
Environmental success story
The Environment Society of Oman (ESO) was founded in March 2004 by a group of Omanis representing
different regions and various professional backgrounds. It is the only environmental NGO in the country,
and since then, it has taken great strides to help to create awareness of the environmental issues that the
Sultanate faces, and it has become one of Oman’s environmental success stories.
The Sultanate of Oman is blessed with unique habitats and
widely contrasting landscapes – from pristine beaches and coral
reefs, to high mountains, breathtaking desert sands and lush
monsoon-drenched hillsides. Apart from creating awareness of the
environmental issues that the Sultanate faces, the ESO also aims
to enable the public to become actively involved in conservation of
these areas, and to provide a forum for exchange of ideas related to
the natural environment of Oman.
In addition to this, the ESO aims to foster co-operation between
government, NGOs, and the private sector; and to carry out field
research of Oman’s human and natural environment, while training
young Omani graduates in the field of environmental conservation.
ESO Project Centre: For a desert country, the landmass of
Oman hosts remarkably diverse flora and fauna, due to its varied
geology and differing climates. According to the ESO, pressures
on Oman’s wildlife habitats are often greatest in areas where the
human population has expanded. And it is with this in mind that the
organisation has set up a number of ongoing projects to assist in
preventing any negative environmental impact as a result of human
and urban expansion in the country.
Renaissance Whale and Dolphin Project
32

Path to Success
Project Frankincense: Oman’s frankincense trees, and the
beautifully aromatic resin ‘teardrops’ they produce, have been
one of the Sultanate’s most valuable commercial and cultural
treasures since ancient times. The tree – also known as the Wild
Boswelia Sacra tree – occurs most predominantly in the Dhofar
Mountains, in the south of Oman, and around the beginning of
April every year, frankincense gatherers set about harvesting
each tree’s resin – first by peeling away the outer bark of the
trunk, and then by making another cut which produces the wellknown
frankincense resin. Given the commercial, cultural and
environmental importance of these trees, it has been necessary
to research how the resin can be harvested and produced without
long term damage to the species. After four years of research,
sustainable methods of harvesting have been determined by the
ESO and the project has now moved to the next phase of working
with farmers to disseminate and explain the importance of this
information.
Turtle Conservation and Satellite Tracking: Green, Hawksbill,
and Loggerhead Turtles all nest on Oman’s beaches in significant
numbers, and the Sultanate is, therefore, one of the world’s
essential locations for the survival of these animals on our
Egyptian Vulture Project
The ESO - an Omani success story
planet. The ESO’s Turtle Conservation program aims to assist
with the collection of important ecological information on the
critically endangered Loggerhead turtles of Oman, and to develop
appropriate plans for their ongoing protection.
Egyptian Vulture Project: According to the ESO, the Egyptian
Vulture is also listed as ‘Endangered’ under the International Union
for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, and
recent reports suggest its population has been globally declining
in the last few years. With this in mind, it has become important to
understand the status of the existing population of these vultures
in Oman in order to support any conservation action efforts.
And for this purpose, the Environment Society of Oman invited
a research team from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection
of Birds and other consultants to study the Egyptian Vulture on
Masirah Island, off the central coastline of the Sultanate, as well
as its main feeding grounds in Muscat.
ESO Campaigns: The various, ongoing Environment Society of
Oman campaigns have been set up to raise awareness among
the general public in Oman and aim to promote a change in
behaviour. Some of the successful campaigns of the past include
a ‘No to Plastic Bags for Oman’ drive, which aimed to reduce and
ultimately regulate the use of plastic bags in the Sultanate. Climate
change and awareness of Oman’s environment within local
communities, schools and colleges are among other activities and
events. The ESO is also often part of campaigns like the recent
‘Clean-up and Invasive Species Removal’ in the capital city’s
Qurum Nature Reserve, which was hosted by Oman’s Ministry of
Environment and Climate Affairs.
Renaissance Whale and Dolphin Project: Whales and dolphins
are particularly sensitive to environmental change, and because
of this (and because of the fact that Oman has a number of
rapidly developing coastal regions), ESO has set up the ongoing
Renaissance Whale and Dolphin Project which aims to collect as
much data and information as possible on the distribution and
ecology of Oman’s 20-plus species of whales and dolphins that
reside off its coastline, with a particular emphasis on Oman’s
endangered Arabian Sea Humpback Whales.
33
ESO: Become a member: Membership at the Environment
Society of Oman is open to anyone above the age of 18 who has an
interest in conserving the environment and ensuring that Oman’s
natural heritage remains intact for future generations to enjoy.
Environmental Society of Oman: For more information and to
donate to the Environment Society of Oman, go to www.eso.org.om
or visit www.facebook.com/EnvironmentSocietyOfOman

Family Traveller
Amsterdam’s NEMO Science Center:
For your genius kids in-the-making
Take a voyage of discovery at the NEMO Science Center in Amsterdam, where your children can play with science
and technology all day long and unleash their inner genius – and where you might even learn a lot as well!
You can spot Amsterdam’s NEMO Science Center from a long way
off. The state-of-the-art, modern-day building rises high above
the city’s eastern docklands, and features a sheer, 22 metre-high
copper-green superstructure with a design that looks like a ship.
The building also features a huge, sloping roof-top terrace, which
has become a popular visitor’s hangout, due to its spectacular views
over the city.
But however impressive the building’s exterior might be, it is what
is inside that will really get you and your family’s attention.
Interactive Science: Sense how the world works
The inside of the NEMO Science Center is all about immersing
yourself in the wonders of science. This is where you can smell,
hear, feel and see how the world works. Its five floors are filled
with continuously updated exhibitions, and each one of these
floors hosts ongoing theatre performances, films, workshops and
demonstrations. Everything is interactive, so everyone can literally
join in the fun.
For example, your kids can get a feel for what it’s like to be real
scientists in the NEMO chemistry laboratory, where they can put
on NEMO lab coats and safety glasses, and conduct their own
experiments with household items like baking powder, vinegar and
other household items.
34
After this, they can head off into a world of scientific adventures,
like ‘Sensational Science’, which is an exhibit that gives you the
chance to experiment with real physical science phenomena – like
light, sound and static electricity – to see how they work.
Or, ‘Journey through the mind’, which features information, tests,
experiments and brainteasers to help you understand what’s going
on inside your head; or ‘Water Power’, where you can learn how to
harness the power of water by guiding it through a series of metal
pipes and sandbags to generate ‘green’ hydro-electric energy.

Family Traveller
Your kids can also discover an ‘Amazing Constructions’ exhibit, and
learn things like what keeps huge, modern-day skyscrapers from falling
over, and how it is possible to build bridges that are mechanically
strong; and a ‘Smart Technology’ exhibit, that shows us how to save
energy, generate electricity sustainably, and reduce waste.
By getting to grips with NEMO’s interactive science exhibits, your
kids can awaken their inner scientific genius. Afterwards, you can
take them to some of Amsterdam’s world class art and design
galleries, where they can awaken their inner artistic genius as well!
Rooftop terrace: ‘The highest beach in the city!’
The NEMO Science Center is home to ‘Amsterdam’s largest roof
terrace’, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the historic city
centre, 22 metres above ground level – or in this case, above sea
level. Its sloping roof is accessible to the public, comes complete
with an outdoor café, and throughout summer, it also becomes the
‘highest beach in the city’ as a NEMO center travel guide calls it –
because of the beach sand pits for kids to play in, and a river cascade
of 30 water pools that flow down through the terrace.
NEMO Science Center: Find out more
For details on the NEMO Science Center’s exhibits, location, opening
times, and special events, visit www.e-nemo.nl or
www.facebook.com/sciencecenterNEMO
Family Fun in Amsterdam: Five family-friendly places in
Amsterdam to visit
Visit the Goat Farm: Goat Farm Ridammerhoeve is an organic
farm that is home to goats and other farm animals, and where there
are regular activities on the go, like farming workshops, cheese
tours, bicycle rides, and guided farm tours.
Explore Artis Royal Zoo: Artis Royal Zoo was the first zoo to
be established in the Netherlands, and it’s located right in the centre
of the city.
See the Amsterdam Dungeon: Always a popular tourist
attraction in the old heart of the city, the Amsterdam Dungeon –
which is a Dungeon-themed theatrical production put on by local
actors – is a must see for kids and families.
Relax at Vondelpark: Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s most popular
park, attracting thousands of tourists, and residents every day.
Cycle at Het Twiske Park: Het Twiske Park lies to the north of
Amsterdam between Zaanstad and Purmerend. It’s the ideal place
for a family day out on bicycles, as Amsterdam’s bike paths lead to
and then connect directly to the paths in the area.
35

Oman View
Khalid Al Busaidi
Khalid Al Busaidi is the Royal Opera House Muscat’s official photographer. He is also part
of the Photographic Society of Oman, and has presented various workshops and talks
as a member of the organisation. To date, Khalid has documented many of the ROHM
performances, such as Opera, Ballet Theatre, Orchestra, Concerts and World Music. He has
also launched a photography exhibition titled ‘Music Reflections’ which was composed of
the best 45 images for ROHM performances. He says he has been passionate about images
and photography since an early age. More of Khalid Al Busaidi’s work can be viewed at:
www.instagram.com/khalid_albusaidi
36

Travel Guide
Savvy Traveller
The Sultanate of Oman is on the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates
in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west and Yemen in the southwest. It also has two enclaves – the
Musandam Peninsula and Madha – which are separated by the UAE. Oman’s 3 165 kilometre coastline spans
the Gulf of Oman in the north and the Sea of Oman (which forms part of the Arabian Sea) in the east.
For the traveller, the Sultanate of Oman has a large
variety of experiences:
• A wide variety of pristine beaches and islands
• Spectacular mountains, canyons and wadis
• World class diving, snorkelling, and other water sports
• Turtle, dolphin and whale watching
• Wildlife tours in the Sultanate’s nature reserves and
biodiversity spots
• Cultural sites including forts, ancient tombs and prehistoric cities
• Desert safaris and adventures
• A large variety of markets and souqs
• Museums and art galleries
• Trekking, rock climbing and caving adventures
• Horse and camel racing events
• Golf courses
• Various festivals, including the popular Muscat Festival and
Salalah Festival.
There are currently four UNESCO World
Heritage Sites in the Sultanate of Oman
• Aflaj Irrigation Systems • Frankincense Trail
• Archaeological Sites of Bat • Bahla Fort
Sultanate of Oman: Fact Sheet
Area
: 309 500 km2
Population (2014) : 4 000 345
(1 767 396 expatriates)
Language : Arabic (official)
English (widely spoken)
Capital
: Muscat
Local Time : GMT +4
Currency : Omani Rial, which equates to
US$ 2.58
38

Travel Guide
Currency
The local currency is the
Omani Rial (referred to as RO
or OR or OMR). It is further
divided into 1000 Baizas.
Currency denominations are
available in 50, 20, 10, 5 and
1 Rial and 500 and 100 Baiza
notes. Coins are available in
50, 25, 10 and 5 Baizas.
39

Welcome Aboard
Experience Oman Air’s
Award Winning Services
Welcome aboard! Oman Air is committed to providing you with a safe, reliable and
seamless flying experience – enhanced by warm and friendly customer service.
Book and
Check-In
Online
Oman Air offers
an interactive
online booking
check-In facility for
convenient, stressfree
airport checkins.
The check-in
facility is available
for departures from
Muscat International
Airport, as well as a
selection of airports
on the worldwide
Oman Air network.
Online Check-in is
available between
24 hours and 90
minutes before your
departure time.
Exclusive First Class
and Business Class
Check-In
With its own entrance and
sumptuous lounge area,
dedicated staff, and fasttrack
security clearance and
baggage drop, the First Class
and Business Class Check-
In service provides an ideal
introduction to Oman Air’s
extremely high standards of
service. These facilities set
the tone of refined elegance
and luxury which stays with
the traveller throughout their
journey.
40

Welcome Aboard
In-flight Connectivity
Whichever cabin you are
travelling in, you can send SMS
or make calls to your friends,
family or colleagues with our
OnAir mobile services. Log-on
and check emails, surf the
web and update your social
media with Oman Air’s WY-Fi
internet services. And our
great-value, flexible pricing
means that you can choose the
level of connectivity you want,
whenever you fly on our Airbus
A330 Fully Connected flights.
Chauffeur Services
Oman Air offers premium travellers a host of distinctive
services that will enhance their travel experience.
First and Business Class passengers can now take
advantage of our complimentary Chauffeur Drive
airport transfer service at select destinations across our
network. With an attentive service that comes with a
personal chauffeur, luxury vehicles and speedy door-todoor
transfers, you can now travel in comfort and style
with Oman Air.
In-flight Entertainment
Sit back and enjoy your journey in comfort, with a great
range of the latest Arabic and international movies,
up-to-the-minute TV shows, including satellite TV news,
as well as music and games – all at your fingertips, and
all on demand.
Oman Air Lounges
If you want to catch up on work before you travel, enjoy a snack, or
simply unwind, our lounges ensure a relaxing start to your journey that
reflects the outstanding hospitality you will enjoy aboard our aircraft,
all whilst preserving key elements of Omani culture and heritage. Relax
in our First and Business Class Lounges’ elegant environment and enjoy
the very best in hospitality and service as you prepare for your flight.
Our Bangkok lounge is for customers travelling in First or Business
Class, and for those holding Gold and Silver Sindbad cards, and can
be used and enjoyed at a minor cost. The Majan Lounge is open to
Premium customers travelling on airlines operating from Muscat
International Airport and for Oman Air passengers holding Gold and
Silver Sindbad membership who are travelling in Economy Class, and
can be used and enjoyed at a minor cost. Each lounge also has an
experienced team of customer service staff on hand to look after your
every need.
41

Oman Air News
Oman Air Chooses AFI KLM E&M
for excellence in engine support
Oman Air has chosen the renowned Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M)
company to provide flight hour support for the CFM56-7 power plants on the airline’s Boeing 737NG aircraft.
AFI KLM E&M is a major multi-product
maintenance, repair and overhaul provider
with a workforce of over 14 000, and offers
comprehensive technical support for airlines
– from engineering and line maintenance,
to engine overhaul, aero structure and FTR
support.
The long term contract between Oman Air
and AFI KLM E&M was formally signed in
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, by Oman
Air’s CEO Paul Gregorowitsch, and KLM
E&M’s Executive Vice President, Ton
Dortmans. The signing took place in the
presence of His Excellency Mohammed
bin Harub bin Abdullah Al Said, and KLM’s
President and CEO, Dr Ing Pieter Elbers.
Oman Air’s decision to use AFI KLM E&M was taken following
the receipt of a highly competitive offer, and the new contract
builds on a working relationship between the two companies
that has existed for a number of years. And, it enables Oman
Air to maintain its excellent record for safety, reliability and
on-time performance for many years to come. AFI KLM E&M
currently supports almost 1 500 aircraft, operated by 200 major
international and domestic airlines around the world.
Indian freighter network to Mumbai
extended by Oman Air and Cargolux
Oman Air and Cargolux are to introduce a new Indian destination with the introduction of two flights per week
to Mumbai as of the 8th March 2016. The move is in line with a joint venture agreement signed by the two
airlines in April last year and follows the successful launch of joint cargo flights to Chennai.
42
Flight CV6102 leaves Luxembourg on
Tuesdays at 00h25am and is routed via
Bahrain where it arrives at 20h05pm.
(All times local times). Leaving Bahrain at
22h05pm, the flight’s arrival in Mumbai is
scheduled for 04h05am, on Wednesdays.
The return flight CV6113 leaves Mumbai
on Wednesday mornings at 06h05am
and arrives in Muscat at 07h00am before
continuing to Luxembourg where it arrives at
12h40pm.
The second service CV6105 leaves
Luxembourg on Fridays at 14h15pm and
is routed via Kuwait where it arrives at
22h00pm. Leaving at 23h30pm, it arrives in
Mumbai on Saturday mornings at 05h40am
and goes on to Muscat at 08h00am as
CV6116. Arrival in Muscat is set for 08h55
and the flight arrives back in Luxembourg on
Saturdays at 14h35pm.

Content Services
Agreement renewed by
Oman Air and Global
Eagle Entertainment
Oman Air has announced a multi-year renewal of its content
service agreement with Global Eagle Entertainment Inc – the
worldwide provider of aircraft connectivity systems, operations
solutions and media content to the travel industry.
As part of the agreement, Global Eagle Entertainment Inc will provide a
full range of inflight entertainment content services, including movies,
music, TV, games and magazines in cabin and seatback screens as well
as a recently launched passenger tablet system featuring the iPad.
Global Eagle Entertainment Inc will also be providing comprehensive
inflight entertainment system testing and support for both domestic and
international flights aboard Oman Air’s B737, B787 and A330 aircraft.
Oman Air has signed an
agreement with Rezgateway
Oman Air has signed an agreement with Rezgateway for a complete holiday reservation system.
The system, RezG-Package, will dramatically enhance Oman Air’s already-famous efficiency and
performance by automating almost all manual functions.
The Rezpackage includes dynamic packaging capabilities, B2B
and B2C reservation, a back office system, integration to a
payment processing and finance system, a call centre module
and much more.
The results of this project are set to provide significant benefit to
the customers of Oman Air Holidays. Customers can now book
online, conveniently via Oman Air’s Holidays call centre or through
the Oman Air travel offices. And vacation packages booked
through the system can include every aspect of the trip, including
air tickets, car hire, hotel accommodation, airport transfers and
land tours.
Oman Air chooses SmartKargo
cloud-based air cargo solution
Rezgateway will also provide fully integrated travel technology to
Oman Air, allowing the award-winning airline to source products
and services seamlessly from any provider in the world, via XML/
web services.
Oman Air has chosen SmartKargo, providers of air cargo management solutions, to power
their cargo sales and operations, as from June 2016.
SmartKargo is the only cargo platform that is 100% Cloud-based,
which delivers a range of benefits for users, including electronic
airway bill, highly flexible pricing and ratemaking which increases
cargo sales, quick completion of all tasks and 24/7/365 support
from trained SmartKargo experts through three global call
centers.
SmartKargo is known to have one of the best solutions in
the marketplace, and Oman Air’s objective is to have a rapid
deployment of an industry-standard solution without having to
spend on infrastructure – and SmartKargo meets that criterion.
Moreover, SmartKargo’s robust and flexible capabilities will help
leverage Oman Air’s joint venture agreement with Cargolux to
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Oman Air News
develop Muscat as a logistics hub, ready to flow a wide range of
commodities from the USA, Europe, and Africa to destinations
throughout the Gulf and Middle East, South Asia, and beyond.
SamrtKargo offers a robust set of tools for managing warehouse
and ramp operations, accessible from any device with an Internet
connection and with a system ‘born on the cloud’, so to speak,
every partner in the Oman Air cargo chain will have instant access
to shipment information.

Sindbad Program
Hello and welcome to Sindbad, the frequent flyer program of
Oman Air. Whether you’re travelling on business or going on a
holiday, join Sindbad today and make your journey with Oman
Air even more rewarding.
Earn & Spend Sindbad Miles
Sindbad membership earns you Sindbad miles both in the air and on the
ground. Fly with Oman Air, our partner airlines or transact with any of our
global network Partners and earn Sindbad miles. You can choose to spend your
Sindbad miles for free flights, flight upgrades, exciting raffles, promotions and
more.
Exclusive Privileges & Benefits
Sindbad has three tiers to offer- Blue, Silver and Gold. The more you fly
with Oman Air, the higher your Tier. As a Silver and Gold member, you earn
additional privileges designed exclusively for you.
Sindbad Partners
As a Sindbad member, you have the added benefit of earning extra miles as
well as special offers from our global network of partners which include Hotel,
Leisure and Lifestyle, Car rental, Telecommunication and Retail Partners.
Benefits and Privileges
• Complimentary Airport Lounge Access
• Extra baggage allowance of up to 20 Kg
• Duty Free discounts of up to 10% discount on Oman Air In-flight Duty Free
• Check-in at Priority Counter
• Priority baggage handling
• Double miles on your first flight
• Bonus miles, discounts and special offers from Partners
• Buy, Gift and Share Miles
Pick a destination Let your
Sindbad Miles take you there
Earn miles for flights made up to 3
months prior to your enrolment. Join
today by visiting Sindbad.omanair.
com or ask your hostess for an
enrolment form.
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