National carrier Oman Air is set to launch a second daily service to London Heathrow from its regional hub Muscat starting from April 12. This will complement its existing direct service to the UK capital.

The service is being launched in response to overwhelming demand from air travellers for flights between Muscat and London, and from London to onward destinations in the Middle East and Asia, said a statement from Oman Air.

CEO Paul Gregorowitsch said: "We are delighted to be launching a second daily frequency between Muscat and London. 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."

“Oman Air’s second daily service between these two great cities will therefore be warmly welcomed in the UK and Oman. 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,” he added.

The existing service departs Muscat at 2pm and arrives at Heathrow Terminal 3 at 6.20pm and on return it departs Heathrow Terminal 3 at 8.15pm and arrives in Muscat the following morning at 7.35am.

The new service will fly through the night, departing Muscat at 1.25 am and arriving in London Heathrow Terminal 4 at 6.30am. On return, the flights will take off from Heathrow Terminal 4 at 8.30am and land in Muscat at 6.55pm.

“Our customers have expressed a strong desire for a second frequency into London and we are very pleased to be meeting that demand with this new service. Whilst our existing service operates from Terminal 3 at Heathrow, the new service will operate from Terminal 4, stated Gregorowitsch.

“We believe that it is vital to offer our customers this increased choice now and, in the short term, that means flying out of two terminals in London. However, we are working closely with the airport authorities at Heathrow to accommodate all of Oman Air’s operations at Terminal 4 from the earliest possible date. Until those arrangements are agreed, we will provide clear information to our customers about which terminal they are due to fly from,” he added.

Oman Air’s first service to London was launched in 2007 and was, alongside Bangkok, one of the airline’s first two intercontinental destinations.

Regarded as a flagship route, the Muscat to London service has experienced rapid growth and is regularly sold out in each of its three classes. The second frequency will enable many thousands more customers a year to experience Oman Air’s award-winning products and services, and its warm Omani hospitality.-TradeArabia News Service