Oman Air has commenced its daily flight from Muscat to the Turkish city of Istanbul. 
The inaugural flight - WY 163 - departed Muscat International Airport at 8.10pm on June 1 after a cake-cutting ceremony at Oman Air’s First and Business Class check-in lounge. 
The Oman Air delegation was led by chief commercial officer Paul Starrs. 
The new route will be operated by a Boeing 737-800 with a flight time of five hours and 25 minutes.
Flight WY163 will depart Muscat International Airport’s new passenger terminal daily at 8.10pm, arriving at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport at 12.25am. The return flight, WY164, will depart Istanbul each day at 1.25am, arriving in Muscat at 7.25am. 
The new route between Oman and Turkey “will strengthen the existing vibrant bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries”, the airline has said in a statement. 
“With the opening of this route, Oman Air’s guests will be able to explore one of the world’s most thriving cities. Intertwining both ancient and modern cultures, the largest city in Turkey, Istanbul is the heart of the country's economic, cultural and historical roots, with much to offer Oman Air guests travelling to this beautiful destination,” the statement adds.
Oman Air is currently undergoing a fleet and network expansion programme, which will see the airline operate up to 66 aircraft to 60 destinations by 2022.
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