Thousands of Omanis are seeking flights to support their national football team in the Gulf Cup final on Thursday.
Oman beat Bahrain 1-0 to set up a meeting with hosts Iraq in the final of the tournament.
The chief executive of Oman Air said the airline added two special flights on Thursday to fly supporters to Basra.
The eight-team tournament kicked off in the southern port city on January 6 and will end on Thursday.
It brought together teams from Iraq, Yemen and the six GCC states — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar.
“We have two special flights tomorrow to Basra for football supporters as Oman Air’s gesture to help Omanis support their team,” Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Oman Air’s chief executive said.
A return flight on Oman Air from Muscat to Basra costs 180 rials (Dh1,920).
Omanis who failed to book tickets on the two Oman Air flights are now trying to get flights on regional airlines.
Other supporters were grateful to get a flight with Qatar Airways.
Officials at Emirates’ and Qatar Airways’ offices in Muscat confirmed that Omanis were buying last-minute tickets to Iraq.
“We are sold out for tomorrow’s flight for the final. We have had many enquiries but we regret to say we cannot take any more Omanis to watch their country play Iraq because we are fully booked,” said Sam Allaway, a Qatar Airways official.
This will be Oman’s fifth final in the Gulf Cup. In addition to winning twice, it was the runner-up on the other two occasions.
