Oman Air’s fleet received a boost earlier when the second Boeing 737-900 arrived, after its latest Boeing B737-800 touched down for the first time at Muscat International Airport.

The arrival of the brand-new aircraft marks the start of a major three-year expansion programme.

This latest delivery takes Oman Air’s fleet strength to 32.

These are the first of 24 aircraft which will arrive with the Muscat-based carrier between now and 2018, taking total fleet numbers to around 50 aircraft.

Oman Air chief executive Paul Gregorowitsch welcomed the new arrival.

He said: “I am delighted that Oman Air has started taking delivery of our new Boeing B737 aircraft.

“They are amazing, and it was a real pleasure to see them land at Muscat.

“The new aircraft will offer our customers an outstanding passenger experience.

“With newly-designed cabins, spacious seating and state-of-the-art inflight entertainment systems, they are a very welcome addition to a fleet.

“It is also a very visible sign that Oman Air’s latest programme of expansion is now underway.

“We look forward, over the next three years, to continuing to increase the size of our fleet.

“This will allow us to introduce more frequencies and improved connection times on established routes, and to unveil more exciting destinations within our domestic and international networks.”

The new B737’s Business Class cabin offers 12 seats, designed by Recaro and fitted in a 2-2 configuration.

Each seat features electric backrest/seat bottom, leg rest and seat depth controls, a 10.6-inch video screen, PC power outlet, reading light and literature pocket.

The Economy Class cabin offers 150 seats, designed by Zodiac Aerospace with a 30-inch pitch.

Each seat features a high seat back pivot, articulating bottom pan and energy absorbing leg system.

In addition, passengers will enjoy a 10.6-inch, seatback-mounted LCD inflight entertainment screen and IFE handset, as well as a bi-fold, sliding tray table.

To complement the outstanding comfort and amenity of the new cabins and seats, Oman Air has fitted the very latest IFE technology.

The Thales AVANT in-seat audio video on demand system offers a vast range of movies, music, games and information, and is compatible with MPEG4 media.

The new Boeing B737 will operate on Oman Air’s short and medium haul routes, which cover the Middle East, the sub-Continent and East Africa.

The new arrivals are the first of 15 Boeing B737s that are expected by Oman Air, and will be joined over the next three years by three Airbus A330s and six Boeing B787 Dreamliners.