Following the decision by Captain Patrick Rotsaert, Chief Officer Flight Operations, to retire from the company, Captain Ali Hassan Sulaiman has been appointed Acting Chief Officer Flight Operations. Captain Ali, an Omani national, brings more than 30 years of professional experience in civil aviation into his new role. He began his career as a student pilot at 1981. Captain Sulaiman is experienced in flying a range of aircraft, including the Tri0Star, Boeing 737 and 767, and Airbus A320, A330 and A340.
In 2008, he held the position of Senior Manager Training and Standards, where his extensive acumen and commitment helped to enhance effectiveness and outcomes. In 2009, he piloted Oman Air's first Airbus A330 from the factory in Toulouse, France, to Muscat International Airport. His most recent role has been Deputy Chief Officer Flight Operations.
Captain Sulaiman commented: "I am delighted to have been appointed to this position, Flight Operations being central to Oman Air's dynamic growth. I trust the entrenched expertise that I have gathered over the last three decades will prove very useful and I very much look forward to play my role in ensuring that Oman Air passengers enjoy an outstanding flying experience. Oman Air is a great success story and it is an honor to have been chosen to be taking part in helping the airline to sustain that success."
On the appointment of Captain Ali Hassan Sulaiman, Wayne Pearce, Chief Executive Officer commented: "I am truly delighted with the appointment of Captain Ali. I am positive he will make an invaluable contribution to the achievements of Oman Air.
As part of the development of our airline, we are fully committed to continue raising the bar and recognizing local talent, and filling key positions with highly competent senior managers whose proven track record constitutes a solid basis for the future of our company."
-Ends-
About Oman Air
Oman Air is the flagship carrier of the Sultanate of Oman and an Official 4 Star Airline (Skytrax 2011). Founded in 1993, the airline has since witnessed massive growth and has played a major role in making Muscat an important traffic hub in the Middle East, supporting the commercial, industrial and tourism sectors.
The airline currently operates direct international flights from Muscat to Gulf destinations, such as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Kuwait, as well as Cairo, Beirut and Amman within the wider Middle East region.
In addition, Oman Air flies to ten destinations in India (Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore, Kozhikode and Jaipur), Chittagong in Bangladesh, Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan, Kathmandu in Nepal and Colombo in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, Oman Air flies to the Maldives, Bangkok in Thailand and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and operates services to Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania.
Its European destinations are London, Milan, Munich, Frankfurt, Paris and Zurich.
Codeshare partnerships with British Midland International (bmi) and Malaysia Airlines extend Oman Air's network to include Hong Kong, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, Langkawi and Penang, as well as Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh and Aberdeen in the UK.
Oman Air's fleet currently consists of four Airbus A330-200s, three Airbus A330-300s, 15 Boeing 737-700s/800s, two Embraer E175s and two ATR 42s. Two further Embraer E175s are on order, with an option of a further five.
Oman Air has just confirmed an order for 6 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are scheduled for delivery in 2015.
Oman Air's outstanding aircraft interiors include its First Class Mini Suite, which provides each of the six First Class passengers with direct aisle access and converts to the longest lie-flat seat in the skies. The A330's 20 award-winning Business Class seats each provide direct aisle access, ample storage space and the latest technological amenities. Economy Class seats offer adjustable head and leg rests, together with surprising amounts of leg and elbow room. A state of the art in-flight entertainment system features individual seatback screens, audio and video on demand and live satellite TV. In addition, Oman Air has pioneered both mobile telephony and Internet connectivity on board its flights and this is available in all three classes.
Superb new First and Business Class lounges have been opened at Muscat International Airport, featuring elegant and tranquil relaxation areas, complimentary spa treatments and à la carte dining. A lounge-to-aircraft limousine service has also been launched for First Class passengers at Muscat.
Oman Air's commitment to quality, comfort and a seamless passenger experience has resulted in international acclaim, including: Best Business Class Seat in the World and Service Excellence, Middle East (World Airline Awards 2011); Best Luxury Airline, Middle East (Business Destinations Awards 2011); Technological Innovation of the Year (Aviation Business Awards 2010); as well recognition in the TravelPlus Amenity Bag Awards 2010 (three Gold, one Silver), the Cellars in the Sky Awards 2010 (Silver), the KLIA Awards 2011, the 2009 Vision Awards (one Silver, one Bronze) and the Travel Industry Club Awards 2010 (Silver), TTG Travel Award 2011 as "Commended Airline of the Year", "Best In-flight Connectivity & Communications" award in The 2011 Passenger Choice Awards in Seattle USA, The Airline of the Year Award at France's Lauriers d'Or du Voyage d'Affaires, Top Resa 2011.
www.omanair.com
© Press Release 2012
