New domestic airports set to enhance Oman Air's role as flagship carrier

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MUSCAT -- Oman AirOman Air's role as national carrier will be significantly ramped up when a string of new regional airports, as well as the upgraded international gateways at Muscat and Salalah, come into operation over the next 3-4 years.

Domestic airports are under various stages of development at Sohar, Ras al Hadd, Adam and Duqm, while Muscat and Salalah international airports are the subject of a multibillion rial expansion.

As the national airline, Oman AirOman Air is gearing up to play its full part when the airports open for business roughly over the 2013-14 time frame, according to a senior airline representative.

"Oman AirOman Air, being the flagship carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, will have a substantial role to play when these airports come into operation. Oman AirOman Air has been closely involved with the relevant government departments and Project Managers in the design and specification of these new airports," said Philippe Georgiou, Chief Officer, Corporate Affairs.

In comments to the Observer, Georgiou said the airline was currently working with the various stakeholders, notably the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC).

The carrier has also established a programme designed to provide a full range of ground services once these airports become operational.

"The new airports will provide our customers with a world-class service on the ground, perfectly complimenting the service that we are providing in the air today," he stated.

Importantly, the new regional airports will be served by Embraer aircraft currently on order from E-Jets.
"The acquisition of Embraer Regional Jet aircraft by Oman AirOman Air, with initial deliveries commencing in 2011, will provide us with aircraft suitable for serving these regional airports," said Georgiou.

Last November, Oman AirOman Air signed a contract for the purchase of five Embraer-175 aircraft.

The deal included purchase rights for another five aircraft.

Oman AirOman Air's Embraer 175 will be configured with 72 seats in a full-service, dual-class layout, with 12 seats in business class and 60 in economy.

In particular, Philippe emphasised the importance of an expanded and upgraded international airport at Muscat to meeting the growth needs of Oman AirOman Air, and indeed the civil aviation sector in general. "The expansion of Oman AirOman Air's network in the last 18 months has placed considerable strain on the facilities and infrastructure at the existing airport.

The new airport will relieve that pressure and allow Oman AirOman Air the flexibility and opportunity to grow its fleet and network to cater for the future needs of Oman," he added.

Majority government-owned Oman AirOman Air currently boasts an international fleet of 15 Boeing 737s, three Airbus A330-200s and three Airbus A330-300s, in addition to 2 ATR 42-500s aircraft. During 2011, one additional A330 will be entering service.

The airline also has six Boeing 787s Dreamliners and five Embraer E175s aircraft on order.

By Conrad Prabhu

© Oman Daily Observer 2010