Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki

National flag carrier Oman Air said the airline has moved a step closer to its fleet expansion target with the delivery of its first Airbus A330-200.

The aircraft was recently handed over to the airline at a ceremony held in Toulouse in th presence of Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy, deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council and chairman of Oman Air and Peter Hill, the Oman Air 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 on Wednesday.

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 was held at Seeb International Airport on Wednesday to unveil the new aircraft.

Abdulnabi Macki said the delivery of the Airbus A330 was a milestone in the transformation of Oman Air and added that this brand-new A330 was the first of seven Airbus long-range aircraft to be delivered to the airline.

'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,' he noted.

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, he added.

Hill said, '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.'

“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,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service