Emirates deploys special ‘Year of Zayed’ aircraft to new Muscat terminal

Dubai airline Emirates deployed a special ‘Year of Zayed’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to mark its arrival at the newly inaugurated passenger terminal at Muscat International Airport on Tuesday.

Emirates flight EK 864 landed at 5:55pm at the Omani capital, and was the first international flight to operate to the new passenger terminal.

Passengers onboard came from destinations like Dhaka, Baghdad and Dammam via Dubai, a statement said.

Emirates announced in December last year that it would celebrate the ‘Year of Zayed’ – 2018 – by creating a bespoke livery of the late Sheikh Zayed for 10 aircraft – five Airbus A380s and five Boeing 777-300ERs. The unique livery is the first time Emirates has featured a customised decal of a well-known public figure.

The airline said the special aircraft will be deployed throughout 2018 across the world.

Emirates has been flying to Oman since 1993, and will be marking 25 years of operations to the country this year.

The airline currently operates three daily flights to Muscat.

Also see: Video: Muscat’s new airport readies for first flights

The opening of Muscat’s new passenger terminal comes after years of delays due to illegal workers, technical difficulties and other issues but will be welcomed by carriers including home airline Oman Air, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Among the key advantages of the terminal will be an expanded capacity of 12 million passengers a year.

There are also 8,000 parking spaces for short and long stays with fees beginning at OMR0.5 ($1.30) for half an hour.

An accompanying cargo building was opened on Monday.

Read: New Muscat airport cargo terminal to open in March