Oman Air, the Sultanate’s flagship carrier, has joined forces with the National Bank of Oman (NBO) to introduce an exclusive cashback offer for NBO cardholders, reinforcing both brands’ commitment to rewarding customer loyalty and enhancing the value of air travel in Oman.

The limited-time campaign allows NBO customers to earn up to OMR 100 cashback when booking tickets through Oman Air’s official website or mobile application using eligible NBO debit, credit, or prepaid cards. The initiative is part of an ongoing effort by both institutions to combine premium financial services with elevated travel experiences for Omani consumers.

Offer Details and Eligibility

Through the promotion, NBO Visa Retail Credit Cardholders can participate simply by booking Oman Air flights via official digital platforms or airline offices. The cashback incentive is structured to reward top spenders: the top 36 cardholders with the highest international transaction amounts during the campaign period will each receive cashback rewards.

Each participant is eligible for one qualifying cashback reward per campaign cycle, with a maximum reward value of OMR 100. This design encourages cardholders to increase their transaction activity during the promotional period while maintaining fairness across the customer base.

Although the promotion is time-bound, similar offers have been reintroduced periodically — with the most recent campaign concluding in October 2023 — demonstrating the success and popularity of the initiative among NBO’s travel-savvy clientele.

How the Campaign Works

To qualify, customers must:

• Purchase Oman Air tickets using an NBO Visa Retail Credit Card through the airline’s official channels (website, mobile app, or ticket offices).
• Ensure that the transaction qualifies as an international spend.
• Be among the top 36 highest international spenders during the promotional window.

At the end of the campaign, eligible winners are rewarded with their cashback, which is credited to their accounts. Each customer can claim the reward only once per offer period, preventing multiple redemptions and ensuring wide participation.

Added Value for NBO Cardholders

NBO’s premium cards — Infinite, Signature, and Platinum — are particularly well-suited for frequent travelers and come with a host of complementary travel and lifestyle privileges. These include:

• Up to 1% cashback on all purchases (0.5% for Gold cardholders).
• Complimentary international travel insurance for added peace of mind.
• Airport lounge access across major international terminals.
• Exclusive lifestyle deals, such as discounted movie tickets and access to The Entertainer program.
• Special offers with Oman Air Holidays, including promotional packages and seasonal discounts.

These benefits, combined with the new cashback campaign, position NBO credit cards as a compelling choice for frequent flyers and luxury travelers seeking maximum value from their financial products.

Representatives from the National Bank of Oman highlighted that the collaboration reflects NBO’s strategic focus on enhancing customer satisfaction through meaningful, value-driven partnerships. “Our goal is to continuously reward our customers and enrich their lifestyles by combining banking convenience with premium travel experiences,” an NBO spokesperson stated.

Oman Air officials echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the partnership aligns with the airline’s mission to provide exceptional travel experiences and strengthen loyalty among Omani travelers. “By partnering with NBO, we are offering our customers more than just travel — we are providing tangible value that extends beyond the flight,” an Oman Air representative said.

The Oman Air–NBO collaboration illustrates a growing synergy between the financial and aviation sectors in Oman, aimed at creating integrated experiences that meet the evolving expectations of modern consumers. By linking premium banking products with exclusive travel rewards, both entities are redefining customer engagement and loyalty in a competitive market.

With this initiative, Oman Air and NBO are not only rewarding travelers but also setting a new standard for partnership-driven innovation in Oman’s banking and aviation industries.

India and Pakistan have maintained mutual restrictions on each other’s airspace since April 2025, a situation that continues to affect commercial aviation across the region. While international airlines are still permitted to use the airspace of both countries, carriers from India and Pakistan remain barred from crossing into each other’s territory.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed on Wednesday that its airspace will remain closed to all Indian-registered aircraft, including those operated, owned, or leased by Indian airlines, as well as military flights, until early April 24. The restriction was first imposed on April 24, 2025, following Indian missile strikes linked to Operation Sindhoor.

Subsequently, Pakistan extended the closure to international traffic on May 7, 2025, before reopening its skies a day later for non-Indian airlines. Since then, both nations have continued issuing monthly Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) to reaffirm the ongoing restrictions.

The impact of these measures has been uneven. Indian carriers, particularly those operating from northern hubs such as New Delhi, have been forced to reroute flights to avoid Pakistani airspace. These detours have significantly increased operational costs and flight durations.

The situation has been further complicated by regional instability, including conflict in Iran, which has pushed Indian airlines to adopt longer routes over Africa for Europe-bound flights. In many cases, this has extended travel times by up to two hours.

Long-haul services have also been affected. For example, flights from New Delhi to New York operated by Air India now often include a stopover in Europe, stretching total journey times to approximately 22 hours. By comparison, US-based carriers that can traverse Pakistani airspace complete similar routes in around 16 hours.

Air India has estimated that the restrictions are costing the airline roughly $600 million annually. A company representative recently noted at an international aviation forum in Mumbai that competitors have increasingly captured market share as a result of these operational challenges.

Passenger trends reflect this shift. While international airlines operating direct services between Bengaluru and London have reported growing demand, Air India has not experienced a similar increase, largely due to the longer and less efficient routes it must operate.

Source: Khaleej Times

In a move to bolster regional security, the United Kingdom has confirmed the deployment of four additional Typhoon jets from the Royal Air Force to Qatar. This strategic reinforcement is part of ongoing efforts to support defensive operations in the region, further solidifying the UK’s commitment to regional stability.

The newly dispatched jets will supplement the existing aircraft stationed at the UK-Qatar Joint Typhoon Squadron. These jets were first deployed in January to enhance security measures, protect British nationals, and safeguard the country's interests in the region.

This latest deployment signals the UK's unwavering support for its allies and its determination to take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of its citizens and national assets. The UK government has reiterated that it will continue to work closely with international partners to maintain peace and security in the region.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, has firmly rejected Iranian claims regarding recent missile strikes, asserting that the attacks were directed at civilian and residential areas within Qatar, contradicting Iran's explanation that they were aimed at American interests.

During a phone call with Dr. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the missile strikes, which impacted areas such as the vicinity of Hamad International Airport and key industrial zones, including facilities linked to liquefied natural gas production, violated Qatar’s sovereignty. He stressed that the evidence on the ground clearly disproved Iran’s assertions.

The Prime Minister described the missile attacks as a "flagrant violation" of both Qatar's sovereignty and international law. He further pointed out that these strikes were part of a broader escalation involving drones and aircraft, with the latter being intercepted by Qatar's armed forces as they entered the country’s airspace.

Sheikh Mohammed also condemned Iran's approach as "escalatory" and accused Tehran of attempting to draw neighboring countries into a conflict that does not concern them. He called for an immediate cessation of attacks on states that have sought to remain neutral, urging all parties to focus on the broader interests of regional peace and stability.

While reaffirming Qatar's commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, Sheikh Mohammed made it clear that the country would take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security. He pointed to Qatar’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, stressing that such acts of aggression would not go unanswered.

A significant disruption to air travel occurred on Sunday, as over 3,400 flights were canceled across seven major airports in the Middle East. According to flight tracker Flightradar24, the cancellations affected key transportation hubs in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain, which experienced widespread airspace closures due to escalating regional tensions.

Airports including Hamad International Airport in Doha, Dubai International Airport, and Bahrain International Airport saw massive operational shutdowns, halting both domestic and international flights. The closures are linked to the ongoing geopolitical developments and airspace restrictions in the region.

This large-scale disruption has left thousands of passengers stranded, with many facing delays and extended waiting times as airlines and authorities work to manage the situation. Travelers are urged to check with airlines for updates on flight statuses, as the closures continue to impact flight schedules.

As the situation evolves, aviation authorities in the affected countries are monitoring the situation closely and providing updates as new information becomes available. Passengers are advised to stay informed through airline websites or customer service hotlines.

This comes as part of ongoing regional developments, which have led to airspace restrictions across several Middle Eastern countries.

Flight operations at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) remain temporarily suspended following the closure of Bahraini airspace. The measure, implemented as part of a precautionary protocol, has led to the temporary suspension of both incoming and outgoing flights.

Airport authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant aviation and government agencies to ensure passenger safety and operational readiness once clearance is granted to resume flights.

Passengers are strongly advised to stay updated through official channels, including the Bahrain International Airport website and their respective airlines’ communication platforms, for the latest information on flight schedules and travel advisories.

Further updates will be issued as new information becomes available.