
Oman Air launches direct flights to Amsterdam
This new route expands Oman Air's European network to 11 destinations, including Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Istanbul, Trabzon, Moscow, and London.
The launch was marked by an official ceremony at Muscat International Airport, attended by Azzan bin Qasim al Busaidi, Under-Secretary for Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism; HH Sayyid Dr Faris bin Turki al Said; Stella Kloth, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Oman; and several officials from public and private sectors.
Al Busaidi noted that this connection will strengthen Oman's positioning as a prime destination for European travellers. He highlighted the Netherlands as a key tourism market for the Sultanate, whose visitors are increasingly drawn to Oman's natural beauty and cultural depth.
Oman Air CEO Kon Korfiatis described the route as a strategic addition, opening new travel options for guests across Europe and beyond.
The Amsterdam launch also coincides with Oman Air's official entry into the oneworld airline alliance. It is the first new destination announced under the alliance, which offers passengers access to over 900 destinations worldwide and greater connectivity for travel to and from Oman. — ONA
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Observer
3 hours ago
- Observer
SHABAB OMAN II DEPARTS PLYMOUTH
LONDON: The Royal Navy of Oman's ship Shabab Oman II sailed from Plymouth Port in the United Kingdom, bound for Le Havre in France. This leg marks the continuation of its seventh international voyage, titled 'Glories of the Seas', across the European continent, with stops planned at various ports along the way. The voyage carries a noble mission - to strengthen bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the Sultanate of Oman and nations worldwide. At each international port of call, Shabab Oman II showcases authentic Omani culture, celebrates the country's rich maritime heritage and highlights its long-standing traditions. – ONA


Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Oman tourism promotion launched across French-speaking Europe
Muscat – Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has launched a new promotional campaign aimed at attracting travellers from French-speaking Europe, with particular focus on France, Belgium and Switzerland. The campaign seeks to highlight Oman's cultural heritage, natural landscapes and reputation for hospitality. It is part of a wider effort to boost the sultanate's visibility in international markets and position it as a key destination for European tourists. As part of the campaign, the ministry has partnered with French media relations firm Article Onze to engage travel agencies and tourism companies in the targeted countries. The collaboration is expected to strengthen Oman's ties with industry players across the region. H E Ahmed Mohamed Nasser al Araimi, Oman's Ambassador to France, said the initiative was a step forward in showcasing the sultanate's appeal. 'Oman has always been a safe and welcoming haven for visitors,' he told Oman TV. 'Through this campaign, we are taking proactive steps to reach out to international tourists and invite them to experience the beauty and serenity of our country.' Azza bint Hamoud al Busaidi, Deputy Head of Mission at Oman's Embassy in France, said the campaign aims to communicate the sultanate's range of travel experiences, from mountain landscapes to coastal attractions and traditional souqs. She noted that France, Belgium and Switzerland represent promising markets for inbound tourism. H E Ahmed Mohamed Nasser al Araimi, Oman's Ambassador to France The ministry's campaign is part of a broader international strategy to increase tourism from Europe and other regions. France has historically ranked among the top sources of tourist arrivals to Oman. In March 2025, Oman launched a global marketing push to reinforce its status as a high-quality travel destination. The campaign featured advertisements on taxis, buses, train stations and billboards in key urban centres in Europe. Promotional content also ran in shopping malls and on television networks. Looking ahead, the sultanate plans to open new tourism representative offices in China, Russia, Spain, Latin America and Southeast Asia. The aim is to expand Oman's reach and attract a more diverse visitor base. To support its international efforts, the ministry has partnered with over 50 global media outlets to run multimedia campaigns showcasing Oman's tourism offering. These initiatives reflect Oman's ambition to become a prominent player in the global tourism market, with particular focus on building long-term engagement in strategic markets.


Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
EU unveils long-delayed 2040 climate target, with wiggle room
BRUSSELS: The EU on Wednesday unveiled its long-delayed target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, but with contested new flexibilities built in to win over the most sceptical member states. After months of tough negotiations, Brussels announced it would stick to the headline objective announced last year of cutting emissions by 90 per cent by 2040, compared to 1990 levels. The proposal comes as much of Europe roasts in an early summer heatwave, which scientists say are becoming more intense, frequent and widespread due to human-induced climate change. The 2040 target — which needs sign off from the European Union's member states and parliament — is a key milestone towards the bloc's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Brussels says the EU has already cut climate-warming emissions by 37 per cent relative to 1990 but its green agenda faces pushback with a rightward shift and rising climate scepticism in many European countries. EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra acknowledged the "sensitive" debate, saying Brussels was keeping an "ambitious" goal while being "pragmatic and flexible on how to achieve it". To sway resistant capitals, the European Commission proposes that from 2036, the bloc's 27 countries can count carbon credits purchased to finance projects outside Europe, for up to three per cent of their emission cuts. Climate campaigners are broadly opposed to the measure. Backed by scientific studies and the commission's own science advisers, they say factoring in international credits -- for things like tree-planting or renewable-energy projects -- risks undermining the EU's own efforts to shift away from fossil fuels. "While this is a step in the right direction, by sneaking in international offsets and leaning heavily on supposed future carbon removals, the European Commission has built loopholes into the heart of the proposal," WWF EU said. "Three per cent is not insignificant," echoed Neil Makaroff, an expert at the climate-focused Strategic Perspectives think tank. "These are potentially considerable sums that will be spent abroad instead of financing the transition" in Europe. "But there's a political compromise to be found," said Makaroff — stressing the importance of "delivering" on the headline target. To reach the 2040 and 2050 objectives, Europe's industry and citizens will have to undertake major transformations including increased uptake of electric cars, the gradual phasing out of fossil fuels and making buildings more energy-efficient. "Today we show that we stand firmly by our commitment to decarbonise Europe's economy by 2050," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said. EU environment ministers will discuss the objective at a meeting in mid-July, ahead of a vote expected on September 18. EU lawmakers also need to greenlight the target, which requires the support from the biggest group in parliament, the centre-right EPP. To win others over, Brussels also proposes to make it more financially attractive for companies that capture and store CO2. The commission's hope is that the 2040 objective will be approved before the UN climate conference (COP30) in November in the northern Brazilian city of Belem. — AFP