If
you want to drive an Aston Martin, then someone has to transport that for you!
Luxury airline Oman Air recently announced a key partnership with British car
manufacturer Aston Martin. The Middle Eastern carrier brought the marque’s
yet-to-be-launched Lagonda to Muscat as part of its early testing programme.
The
brand new Lagonda car is a top-of-the-range, luxury four-door super-saloon
which has been designed exclusively for the Middle East market – and Oman will
be providing the perfect backdrop for essential summer heat testing.
In
a press statement, Oman Air’s General Manager Marketing, Mohammed Al Shikely,
announced that Oman Air is the perfect partner to assist Aston Martin in
heat-testing its stunning new Lagonda. “Our highly professional cargo division
offers all the expertise needed to deliver the car from its factory in the UK
to Oman, and back again in perfect condition once the testing has been
completed. Oman’s landscapes, autumn heat and superbly-maintained highways will
enable Aston Martin’s engineers to really put the car through its paces,” he
said.
“We
are delighted to be working with Aston Martin on this project and look forward
to seeing the Lagonda snapped up by the region’s discerning drivers who I am
sure will also be amazed by the exceptional beauty Oman, the testing ground of
the Lagonda, offers them as a unique destination to visit.”Aston Martin says
the car, which designer Marek Reichmann has created as ‘exceptional automotive
art’, will only be produced in limited numbers and all purchases will be
through invitation only for its Middle Eastern customers. The Lagonda will,
therefore, be an unbelievably rare commodity.
Oman
Air is also the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman’s continuing
sponsorship of Omani motorsports star Ahmad Al Harthy’s Oman Racing Team, which
races Aston Martins in the pan-European Blancpain Endurance Series and the Avon
Tyres British GT Championship. Ahmad played a key role in introducing the Aston
martin team to Oman.
The
note further added that since Oman’s ‘Renaissance’ began in 1970, the Sultanate
has made major investments in its infrastructure, including the development of
a high quality road network that offers access from the capital of Muscat to
every corner of the country. In addition to a major highway that runs the full
length of Oman, from Muscat to the Southern city of Salalah, the network links
all the nation’s major towns and cities. Smaller roads snake through the
country’s precipitous mountains, skirt the deserts of the Empty Quarter (Rub Al
Khali) and the Sharqiya Sands and trace large sections of the country’s
pristine coastline, ensuring an unforgettable drive and a wonderful
introduction to Oman’s diverse topography for any driver.
Oman
Air flies from Muscat to 43 destinations, offering award-winning style, comfort
and hospitality in each of its First, Business and Economy Class cabins. As the
first airline in the world to offer complete mobile phone and Wi-Fi
connectivity inflight, the airline continues to innovate and will soon be taking
delivery of the first of six Boeing B787 Dreamliners, alongside a further three
Airbus A330s and 15 Boeing B737s.
Picture of the new
Aston Martin Lagonda just after it arrives by the Oman Air flight