Mihin Lanka introduces flights to Muscat

15 September 2015 06:30 pm Views - 2263

Mihin Lanka, the region’s leading low-cost airline, will commence flight operations to Muscat, the capital city of Oman, from October 25, 2015 onwards. A total of four weekly flights will be introduced and will operate every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from Bandaranaike International Airport. 

The frequencies will increase to five weekly flights from November 11, 2015 and the additional flight will operate on Wednesdays. The four-hour direct flight will provide passengers with an affordable, convenient and comfortable travel option to Muscat.

Mihin Lanka has included Muscat in its regional route network, as part of the airline’s five-year expansion plan to achieve greater growth, whilst enhancing connectivity throughout the region. Often described as ‘Arabia’s jewel’, Muscat was one of the most important cities of the old Orient and still remains an important hub in the region today. Muscat is located in the north-eastern part of the country on the Gulf of Oman. The city has one of the largest natural harbours in the world and has served as a transhipment point for goods from Arabia, India and Europe for centuries.  

Commenting on the addition of Muscat to Mihin Lanka’s route network, Mihin Lanka Head of Commercial Rohana Perera stated, “Mihin Lanka is very proud to expand our operations to Muscat in Oman. Oman is a destination which has a growing Sri Lankan and large Indian expatriate community who have established their careers over a long period of time. This direct flight will enable them and their family members to travel between Colombo, Muscat and several Indian cities with greater ease and convenience. The addition of this new destination to the airline’s route network, will also support and contribute to feeder traffic from Colombo to other destinations which Mihin Lanka operates flights to along with our code share partner SriLankan Airlines.” 

Muscat has a long history of being a cultural, historical and trade hotspot due to its strategic location. The city of Muscat is renowned for being one of the cleanest Arab capitals in the region, and has retained its authentic character and heritage, whilst evolving into a modern and dynamic city that is the perfect blend of old and new. As a destination, Muscat offers travellers a diverse range of bustling shopping centres and malls, vibrant local markets and a variety of cultural attractions. Travellers can also enjoy a variety of activities in the city ranging from camel racing, to golfing, boating and horse racing. 

Since its launch in 2007, Mihin Lanka has come a long way, becoming one of the region’s most admired travel brands. In 2015, Mihin Lanka was ranked by Skytrax as the third best low-cost airline in Central Asia and India. The Skytrax Awards programme established in 1999 surveys 18.9 million airline passengers in 110 countries and bases its rankings on product quality and staff service standards. Mihin Lanka plays a crucial role in supporting regional connectivity and recently enhanced its offering by introducing its new Business Class service. 

Mihin Lanka services corporate, business, pilgrim and leisure travellers, by providing convenient direct flights to key destinations across the Indian Subcontinent, Asia and the Middle East. These destinations include Dhaka in Bangladesh, Jakarta and Medan in Indonesia as well as Madurai, Kolkata, Gaya and Varanasi in India. The airline also flies to Sharjah, Bahrain and now Muscat in the Middle East, as well as Lahore in Pakistan and the Seychelles.  Mihin Lanka also offers connectivity to a further 20 destinations with its code share partner SriLankan Airlines.