Oman Air sends six employees on Hajj

Source: Oman Air. Oman Air sends six employees for Hajj. In the presence of Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer, Oman Air and Asma Al Ghabshi, Executive VP, Human Resources, Oman Air and involved staff, the names of the employees to be sponsored by the company to perform Hajj this year were drawn.

Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, has announced the names of six employees who will be receiving the airline’s assistance to perform Hajj this year.

A ballot was held to choose the staff in recognition of their hard work and dedication. Beside the six winners, a further six staff were also drawn for the waiting list. Those employees who have not performed Hajj before and who have completed five years of service at Oman Air were eligible for the draw.

KSA reaffirms welcome for Qatari pilgrims

The KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umra has said that Hajj and umrah pilgrims from Qatar are still welcome even with the government's decision to sever relations with Qatar.

"The Kingdom affirms its commitment and keenness to provide all facilities and services for Qatari and all pilgrims," the ministry said in a statement online.

Oman Air has also stated through Facebook on June 13 that Qatari citizens are now allowed to travel on Oman Air from Doha to Jeddah via Muscat for umrah.

On June 5, the KSA government announced that it had severed diplomatic and consular relations with Qatar, closed all land, sea and air ports to the country to prevent Qatar from crossing into Saudi territories, airspace and territorial waters for reasons relating to Saudi national security.

Saudi citizens are prohibited from travelling to Qatar, residing in or passing through it, while Saudi residents and visitors had to leave Qatari territories within 14 days. Likewise, Qatari citizens may not enter or transit through KSA, and Qatari residents and visitors had to leave Saudi territories within 14 days.

Interested?

Qatari umrah pilgrims who wish to book a flight can visit the Oman Air sales office in Doha, Qatar, go to Oman Air's website or through our 24 x 7 call centre on +968 2453 1111.
Hashtag: #OmanAir, #Qatar

Oman Air offers extra baggage privileges for Ramadhan 2017

Source: Oman Air website. Extra baggage privileges for Ramadhan 2017.

Book or fly with Oman Air during Ramadhan 2017 and check in a maximum of two pieces of baggage with a combined weight of up to 30kg in economy as the free baggage allowance. Guests travelling on Oman Air’s Business or First Class can check in one piece of baggage of up to 30kg, plus an additional piece of baggage of up to 20kg.

Guests holding valid Gold or Silver Sindbad Frequent Flyer Cards flying economy class may enjoy the same baggage privileges as Business or first class whereas those flying Business or first class may check in one piece of baggage of up to 30kg, and an additional piece of baggage of up to 30kg.

Terms and conditions:

• Bags should have maximum linear dimensions of 158 cm (width + height + length). In addition, no one single bag should weigh more than 32 kg.
• Baggage that exceeds the standard dimensions and weight restrictions are subject to applicable fees.

The idea for the promotion was raised at a guest panel organised by Oman Air on 23 May, during which a selection of the airline’s Sindbad members were asked how the airline can improve on its new baggage system. The decision was then taken by Oman Air to implement this baggage offer during Ramadhan.

Oman Air’s Deputy CEO and Executive VP - Commercial, Abdulrahman Al Busaidy said: “We are delighted to be introducing this special baggage offer in Ramadhan as a way to celebrate the holy month and meet the needs of our valued guests. As an airline, we place great importance on listening to our guests and responding to their opinions as we continue our journey to Become the Best. We will be advertising the special policy to the public through multiple channels to ensure that the message is clearly conveyed and that everyone can take advantage of this great offer.”

Interested?

Use the baggage surcharge calculator, or check the FAQ

Over 600,000 umrah pilgrims arrived via Jeddah during Ramadhan

Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region and Chairman of Central Hajj Committee has been briefed on a report on the umrah season during Ramadhan, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

It was found that King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (JED) receives the largest number of umrah pilgrims. According to the report, 645,000 umrah pilgrims arrived in Ramadhan, while 265,000 departed as of 22 Ramadhan 1437 (28 June, 2016), on 2,400 incoming flights and about 1,500 departing flights.

The report indicated that Jeddah Islamic Port received 11 ships as of 22 Ramadhan and 11 ships left the port during the same period. Jeddah port facilitates procedures for the arrival and departure for umrah pilgrims.

West Air now connects Chongqing and Singapore

Source: Changi Airport Group. A West Air aircraft.

Changi Airport in Singapore has welcomed today the addition of West Air to its family of airlines, with the arrival of the airline’s inaugural international flight from Chongqing, China. The Chongqing-based airline is operating a thrice-weekly service between Singapore and the Western Chinese city on an Airbus A320-200, with a capacity of 180 seats. The new service, which represents the West Air's first international service, comes on the back of a bilateral pledge to grow air connectivity between Singapore and Chongqing.

On 8 January 2016, Changi Airport Group (CAG), Chongqing Airport Group, SilkAir, Air China Limited Chongqing Branch, China West Air, and Chongqing Airlines entered into a six-party memorandum of strategic cooperation to enhance air connectivity between Western China and Singapore. Under this memorandum, both airports will work closely with the airline partners to mount new flights and increase flight frequencies, not just between Singapore and Chongqing, but also to boost transfer traffic via both hubs. Both airports will support the airlines to develop connectivity from cities in Western China (such as Urumqi, Xining, Lhasa) via Chongqing to Singapore, cultivating the aviation market between Singapore and relevant cities under China’s One Belt, One Road plan.

Lim Ching Kiat, CAG’s Senior Vice-President for Market Development, said, “For Changi Airport, Western China represents exciting untapped growth opportunities. Following the signing of the memorandum of strategic cooperation, we are delighted to welcome the initial fruit of our collaboration through the commencement of West Air’s operation to Changi Airport. The growth of the aviation market involves the joint efforts of both airports and airlines to stimulate and facilitate the growth of the entire ecosystem. Going forward, we will continue to work with our partners under this framework to develop air connectivity and promote both trade and tourism flow between the two cities and our respective air hubs.”

Chongqing, one of China’s four municipalities, has a wide range of activities for visitors to choose from - cruises along the Yangtze River, the Porcelain Village (磁器口), hot springs, and authentic Chongqing hotpot meals. According to CrescentRating, Islam has was introduced to Chongqing in the Yuan Dynasty (1278 to 1368).

With 32 city links to China, Changi Airport is well-connected to the country. In 2015, China continued to be a key market for Changi Airport, with 4.9 million passenger movements for the sector. Contributing about 9% to Changi’s total passenger traffic, China is the airport’s fifth-largest passenger source market. With West Air’s entrance, there are 12 airlines at Changi Airport operating direct services to China, offering some 560 weekly flights between the two countries.

Interested?

Read CrescentRating's guide to Chongqing for Muslim travellers

Oman Air acquires second Dreamliner with shari'ah based financing from Meethaq

Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, extended Oman’s first and only shari’ah based aircraft finance to the national carrier Oman Air for acquiring its second Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 

Source: Meethaq. Al Harthy.

Sulaiman Al Harthy, Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Islamic Banking, said: “Meethaq congratulates Oman Air on the arrival of its second Boeing 787 Dreamliner and is proud to successfully close the long-term financing facility. The closure of this complex transaction in terms of its shari’ah structure, legal documentation and accounting structure indicates that Meethaq is well placed to undertake large-scale complex transactions."

Al Harthy added that the successful closure of the financing facility for the national carrier is a stepping stone for Meethaq to diversify its assets mix. "Meethaq is focused on playing a prominent supportive role in projects that are of national importance and the association with Oman Air will further strengthen this approach. The financing agreement with Oman Air based on diminishing musharakah affirms the availability of viable shari’ah compliant solutions to cater to the banking and financing requirements of big projects in the Sultanate. Meethaq has in its portfolio all sectors, including tourism, agriculture, airline, shipping, manufacturing, commercial real estate, hospitals and education.” 

In about three years of operations, Meethaq has attained a major position in the Islamic banking industry in the Sultanate in terms of financing receivables, branch network, products and services, IT infrastructure development and human resources. The bank is playing a key role in financing projects of national significance, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the economy.

Al Harthy said: “Meethaq Islamic Bank is contributing significantly to the growth and development of the Omani banking sector and we are witnessing an upswing in Islamic finance and investment compatible with the provisions of shari’ah laws. We see a growing interest among retail and corporate clients to take advantage of the new opportunities offered by Islamic banking and finance.”

As the leading Islamic financial services provider in the Sultanate, Meethaq has many achievements relating to financing major projects in various fields, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the Sultanate’s economy. The notable finance facilities offered by Meethaq include a refinancing facility of RO78 million signed with Oman Shipping Company for its three very large crude carriers (VLCCs).

Meethaq has adopted the best practices in Islamic banking and finance worldwide to combine a robust model which protects customers and complements the Islamic banking industry. Every Meethaq product goes through the process of shari’ah compliance certification by the Shari’a Supervisory Board and is created in line with the guidelines of the Central Bank of Oman.

The Meethaq branch network has grown to 13 facilities since inception of operations in 2013. The bank also recently launched Hafawa Priority Banking service for high saving Meethaq customers. Presently, the Hafawa network includes eight centres in Meethaq branches in Qurm, Al Khoud, Seeb, Saham, Ibra, Nizwa, Buraimi and Salalah.

As the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman, Meethaq stands out for its independent Shari’a Supervisory Board, separate capital allocation from shareholders’ money, unique risk management tools, complete fund segregation, separate books of account, shari’ah based core banking system, standalone Islamic banking branches and proper profit distribution mechanism among investment account holders/depositors. It has also adopted Accounting & Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions standards.

Shari'ah compliant airline takes off on maiden flight

Source: Rayani Air Facebook page.

Rayani Air, a Malaysia based shari'ah-compliant airline, has completed its first flight as of 20 December. The airline received its Air Service Licence (ASL), which entitles it to operate commercial air services, and Air Operator's Certificate, the technical qualification to operate air services, on 18 December, and opened sales to the public on the 13th.

Although positioned as a low cost carrier on its website, with promotional pricing to match, Rayani Air operates more like a hybrid. The airline offers student fares, child fares, as well as business class fares, and services similar to traditional carriers. Economy Class guests are entitled for 20kg of baggage allowance, refreshments, date changes, and legroom of 32" between every seat. Additional meals are available for a price. Business Class passengers get 40kg of baggage allowance and meals included.

Rayani Air will begin with domestic sectors and plans to expand to other cities in the region. Flights are currently available between Kota Bahru and Kuala Lumpur (KL), as well as between Langkawi and KL. Routes to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu from KL are planned.

Interested?

The airline's Facebook page is in the habit of announcing special fares late at night

Ministry of Health enforcing strict health requirements through ports of entry in KSA

The Ministry of Health (MOH), KSA is enforcing strict health requirements on arrivals for this year's Hajj, via land, sea and air as well as on workers at Jeddah Islamic Port. Measures include examining all arrivals to ensure they are in good health, as well as checking their vaccination cards, and giving them preventive treatment against the cerebral meningitis pathogen.

The Director of the Health Surveillance Center at Jeddah Islamic Port, Dr Adel bin Muhammad Turkestani, said that the port is expected to receive about 46,000 persons during this year's Hajj, 1436H, of whom 15,000 are pilgrims and 2,000 seasonal workers. It is projected that about 4,000 persons, whether pilgrims, passengers, sailors or workers at the port will receive therapeutic services at the centre. 

He said that work teams have been formed, covering all medical, preventive and technical specialties, totalling more than 100 specialists for responsibilities at the  Ship Release Technical Office, Medical Center at the Arrival Terminal and Emergency Clinic at the Departure Terminal, as well as in committees handling health awareness, environment health, administrative and technical followups and documentation of all activities through the Information and Statistics Committee.

Measures for sailors include preventing them from leaving the port until after a doctor sees them to make sure of their safety from infectious diseases. Rooms have been allocated for isolation of cases suspected with epidemic or infectious diseases. Also, the Center is fully ready to do on-site radiological testing, if needed, Dr Adel said.

Gulf Air opens new sales offices in North Pakistan

Source: Gulf Air.

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has officially opened four new sales offices in the north Pakistani cities of Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Sialkot. 

Gulf Air operates direct flights between Bahrain and the Pakistani cities of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Sialkot with 23 flights a week in total. Flights to and from Pakistan can be booked either online at gulfair.com, through the airline’s 24 hour Worldwide Contact Centre on +973 1737 3737, through any Gulf Air sales office or at approved travel agencies.

The new offices will manage passengers’ ticketing and sales requirements and respond to any general enquiries. The new Gulf Air offices in Pakistan can be found at:

Gulf Air, Islamabad
Unit 1-A, Shahid Plaza, 

Blue Area Jinnah Avenue F-6/4, 

Islamabad.
Tel: +92 512 8100 2832

Gulf Air, Karachi
1st Floor, Kashif Centre, 

Shahrah-e-Faisal, 

Karachi.
Tel: +92 21 5675 2316

Gulf Air, Lahore
Lufthansa House 5-G/2, 

Block H, Gulberg II, 

Lahore.
Tel: +92 423 5763 4569

Gulf Air, Peshawar
UG-46, Deans Trade Centre, 

Peshawar Cantt
Tel: +92 9 1556 0778

Gulf Air, Sialkot
10 Ground Floor, 

Abdullah Trade Centre, Kutchery Road, 

Sialkot.
Tel: +92 524 2684 2831

Oman Air offers Ramadhan promotions

Source: Oman Air website.

Oman Air has a Ramadhan offer with 40% off economy and business fares for international destinations if tickets are booked online by 24 June. The discount is applicable on the base fare, and excludes taxes and surcharges.

The discount is applicable departing from Muscat, Salalah, Khasab, Sohar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Amman, and Beirut among other cities, and destinations must exclude London, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Damam, Cairo, Manila, and India (except Goa). Trips have to begin between 17 June and 10 July with travel to be completed by 14 July 2015. 

The airline is also offering umrah packages from RO449 per person with the travel to take place during the Ramadhan period, specifically from 17 June to 5 July. Terms and conditions apply.

Interested?

Take advantage of the Ramadhan offer

Call +968 2453 1000 about umrah packages

Questions should be directed to the 24x7 Oman Air call centre at +968 2453 1111 in Oman or locally.