A Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operated by Oman Air, stands beside the passenger terminal at Muscat International Airport. File photo / Christopher Pike, Bloomberg
A Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operated by Oman Air, stands beside the passenger terminal at Muscat International Airport. File photo / Christopher Pike, Bloomberg
The city of Muscat in Oman is typically targeted by travellers as the cultural counterpoint to nearby Dubai and its glitzy skyscrapers.
Now the city is becoming a major draw for a very different kind of visitor: people stranded by airspace closings who are willing to pay apremium to evacuate.
The drive from Dubai to Muscat International Airport, where operations are normal, can be made in just under five hours if you don’t take the scenic route along the Gulf.
It’s becoming a popular trip for people worried about spending a lengthy stretch of time in Dubai, where debris from Iranian missiles has rained down on the local airport and the man-made island Palm Jumeirah, and flights out of the city remain elusive.
Oman’s national carrier, by contrast, has increased flights into Europe and Saudi Arabia to accommodate fleeing travellers. It’s also running buses from the United Arab Emirates.
Austrian Air flew out people from Muscat, and Italy’s Defence Minister got picked up by the air force in Oman, where he travelled by land from Dubai.
But it’s those with enough funds who are flocking to Muscat, capital city in a nation of about 5.3 million people that’s known for its postcard beaches and green mountains.
Armand Arton, the head of an advisory firm that specialises in citizenship by investment programmes, has been co-ordinating relocations for dozens of wealthy families in recent days. All are holders of the UAE’s Golden Visa, which requires a minimum investment of about US$500,000.
Arton helped seven families evacuate by land to Oman and then fly out by private jets while UAE airspace remained closed.
Some families shared jets to split costs, while one client needed a plane large enough for 22 people - his family and staff.
Services that once cost about US$50,000 ($84,800) have doubled in price. Fast-track transfers to Oman now cost US$5000 per car.
“Many families are ready to pay anything from US$150,000 to US$200,000 to be evacuated,” Arton said.
A traditional dhow boat rides at anchor beside the Al Said superyacht, once owned by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman, in Muscat harbour in 2018. Photo / Christopher Pike, Bloomberg
Foreign governments are also trying to evacuate passengers through either one of the Gulf neighbours. Germany is working with Lufthansa and tour operator TUI to help move people out of Dubai by land.
Carriers from India have announced evacuation flights. While the largest airline IndiGo has planned 10 special relief operations from Jeddah to India today NZT, SpiceJet has announced it will operate four special flights between Fujairah, in the UAE, and three destinations in India starting tomorrow, the airline said in a statement.
Air India Express, the low-cost subsidiary of Air India, said it would resume services to Muscat starting today.
Saudi Arabia was considered the safer option on Monday when Oman was hit by drones. But yesterday strikes by Iran were intercepted at several sites in the kingdom, leading to some restrictions on its roads and making Oman the more attractive option.
The UAE’s airspace has been largely shut down to commercial flights since Sunday, stranding tens of thousands of business and leisure travellers in Dubai.
The fluidity - and danger - of the situation is triggering fear among some Dubai visitors. Many are forced to extend their hotel stays, prompting panic-buying of food and medicine, while they look for alternative means of escape.
One of the options is to take a boat to Mumbai, though it would sail in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has hit several tankers.
If flights on Oman Air are full, there’s always a private jet, though prices have soared given the upsurge in demand.
Arton’s clients are being told to keep their passports with them at all times and to carry as much as 100,000 dirhams (US$27,000) in cash per person.
“It is much less today about dealing with passports and residency, and dealing with emotions and fears,” he said.
- With assistance from Mihir Mishra.
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