DUBAI - Emirates is marking 20 years of service to Muscat today, having carried nearly 2.4 million passengers on the route since flights began on 1st July 1993.
 
Sadiq Khaliq, Emirates’ finance manager and longest serving Omani  member of staff who joined dnata’s finance department in 1969 before moving to Emirates when the airline was formed 16 years later, said: “Twenty years of service to Muscat is a great achievement and I am pleased that Emirates has gradually developed this route.

“Unfortunately, I don’t fly much anymore, I used to travel a lot to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, India and Egypt.” 
  
A total of 79 Omani staff are employed in the Emirates Group including 15 cabin crew and eight pilots. A total of 34 staff are in the Emirates' Muscat office, Asma Al Rahma is manager Oman.

Captain Saleh Alkharusi, Airbus A380 pilot in command added: “To my surprise, I was the first Omani pilot to join Emirates in March 1995. 
 
“The Muscat sector is memorable to fly because you have the stunning Dubai coastline on departure, passing the Burj Khalifa, and then you’re met with the distinctive Oman coastline as you approach Muscat. Soon, the new terminal will open at Muscat International Airport, presenting further opportunities for Emirates.”
 
The airline has two daily flights serving Muscat, operated with an Airbus A330-200 in a three class configuration and on occasions Boeing 777 aircraft. 
 
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ senior vice president for the Gulf, Middle East & Iran, said the 20th anniversary is an important milestone for all those who have been involved with Muscat and the 2.39 million passengers who have travelled to and from Dubai. 
 
“Oman has been a significant market for us and feeds key markets such as India, Morocco, the UK, Germany, North America, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia, all via our magnificent hub in Dubai.
 
“When you think that Muscat was our 30th destination and we now have 134 routes, it demonstrates the extraordinary growth of the airline in a relatively short space of time.”

Saif Al Anboori, Emirates’ cargo manager for Oman, commented: “Popular commodities being shipped include perishables like fish and beans, in addition to perfumery products and oil exploration equipment.” 

Emirates Holidays, the airline’s tour subsidiary has been offering holidays in Oman since 1996, and carried over 25,000 passengers to Dubai. 

EK867 departs Muscat at 04:55hrs and arrives Dubai at 05:55hrs. EK863 departs Muscat at 10:55hrs and arrives Dubai at 11:55hrs.