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Muscat International Airport to develop as logistics hub for air cargo between India, China, Africa, Europe and the US
Oman Air has signed a Joint Venture agreement with Luxembourg-based Cargolux Airlines International SA, Europe's leading freight carrier and one of the top ten freight carriers in the world. The Joint Venture will create new opportunities for both companies in markets around the world.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony which immediately followed the arrival in Muscat on Tuesday 16th April of the first Cargolux flight to operate under the agreement. The ceremony was held onboard the carrier's B747 Full Freighter which was located in front of Muscat International Airport's VIP building. The Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, Paul Gregorowitsch, and the Chief Executive Officer of Cargolux Airlines International, Dirk Reich, were joined by a range of guests, including dignitaries, stakeholders and media representatives. VIPs included His Excellency Darwish bin Ismail bin Ali Al Balushi, Oman's Minister responsible for Finance and Chairman of Oman Air, His Excellency François Bausch, Luxembourg's Minister for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, Mr Paul Helminger, Chairman of Cargolux Airlines International, and Dr Juma bin Ali Al-Juma, Chairman of Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC).
The Joint Venture will enable Oman Air and Cargolux to jointly access new freighter destinations and contribute to the development of Oman's logistics hub. In addition, it enables Oman Air to further expand its cargo operation and build on the range of cargo initiatives and innovations the airline has introduced over recent years. Furthermore, the agreement will provide Cargolux with access to the belly capacity of Oman Air's fleet and create new opportunities for freight transportation from Oman's modern port facilities. It is also anticipated that the Joint Venture will deliver significant benefits for the economy of the Sultanate of Oman.
Following the signing ceremony, Oman Air's Chief Executive Officer, Paul Gregorowitsch, said:
"We are delighted to have entered into this Joint Venture agreement with Cargolux Airlines International. This will be the first full freighter service to have been launched from Oman and it will enable us to jointly deploy significant and commercially attractive freighter capacity throughout Oman Air's network. In doing so, it will provide significant support for the expansion and development of Oman Air's cargo operation. It will also enable Cargolux to make use of Oman Air's rapidly expanding freight capacity, as well as the outstanding cargo facilities at Oman's airports.
"Our product advantages include the carriage of project cargo, livestock, cargo aircraft-only freight, odd size cargo, vehicles and aircraft engines. Oman Air has considerable experience of safely shipping such freight to locations around the world.
"And, vitally, this Joint Venture will bring significant economic benefits for the Sultanate of Oman, building on Oman Air's already considerable social and financial contribution to the nation."
The Chief Executive of Cargolux Airlines International SA, Dirk Reich, added:
"We believe that this new Joint Venture with Oman Air will bring important benefits for Cargolux's customers in Oman, including fast and reliable connections across Oman Air's worldwide network. It will also enable us to proceed with our planned expansion of air freight services in 2015 from Oman to China, Europe, Africa and the United States. Furthermore, the Joint Venture will give Cargolux the opportunity to utilize Oman Air's experience of flying to 11 destinations in India, as well as to East Africa."
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About Cargolux Airlines International
Cargolux, based in Luxembourg, is Europe's leading all-cargo airline with a modern and efficient fleet composed of 12 Boeing 747-8 freighters and 11 Boeing 747-400 freighters. The Cargolux worldwide network covers 90 destinations, some 70 of which are served on scheduled all-cargo flights. The company has more than 85 offices in over 50 countries, and operates an extensive global trucking network to more than 250 destinations as well as full and part-charter services. Cargolux also offers third-party maintenance at its modern two-bay maintenance hangar in Luxembourg. The company is specialized in B747 line and hangar maintenance up to and including C-Checks. It offers a range of specialized maintenance services and holds line maintenance approval for B777 aircraft. Cargolux employs over 1,500 staff worldwide.
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 Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Madina, Tehran and Kuwait, in the Gulf region, as well as Cairo, Beirut and Amman within the wider Middle East region.
In addition, Oman Air flies to eleven destinations in India (Goa, 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. The airline also flies to the Maldives, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Jakarta, Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam. Its European destinations are London, Milan, Munich, Frankfurt, Paris and Zurich.
Oman Air also has codeshare agreements with a number of airline partners. These are: Emirates Airlines for services between Dubai and Muscat; Qatar Airways for flights to Doha from any of the 45 departure points within Oman Air's network; Ethiopian Airlines for flights between Muscat and Addis Ababa; Royal Jordanian, enabling that airline's customers to fly with Oman Air between Muscat and Amman and Oman Air's customers to fly with Royal Jordanian between Amman and Beirut; Turkish Airlines for flights between Muscat and Istanbul; Sri Lankan Airlines, enabling Oman Air's customers to book with Sri Lankan Airlines from Muscat to Singapore, Male, and China via Colombo, and Sri Lankan Airlines' customers to book onto Oman Air's flights from Colombo to Zurich via the Omani Capital of Muscat; and Malaysian Airlines.
As of April 2015, Oman Air's fleet consists of six Airbus A330-300s, four Airbus A330-200s, two Boeing B737-900s, 20 Boeing B737-800s, one Boeing B737-700, four Embraer E175s and two ATR 42s. Six Boeing 787 Dreamliners are on order for delivery from 2015. By 2018, Oman Air's total fleet size is expected to be around 50 aircraft, rising to 70 aircraft by 2020.
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 outstanding 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 generous leg and elbow room. State of the art in-flight entertainment systems feature 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. In addition, premium check-in facilities and a First Class lounge-to-aircraft limousine service are offered to passengers at Muscat.
Oman Air's commitment to quality, comfort and a seamless passenger experience has resulted in acclaim at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, including: Best Business Class Seat in the World (2011, 2012); Service Excellence, Middle East (2011); and Best Staff Service, Middle East (2014). The World Travel Awards have also honoured Oman Air with World's Leading Airline - Economy Class 2014, Best Business Class Airline - Middle East 2014, and Best Economy Class Airline - Middle East 2013 and 2014. Further awards include Best Luxury Airline, Middle East (Business Destinations Awards 2011, 2012, 2013); Best In-flight Connectivity & Communications award at The 2011 Passenger Choice Awards; as well as recognition in the TravelPlus Amenity Bag Awards 2010 (three Gold, one Silver), 2011 (two Gold, one bronze), 2012 (one Gold) and 2013 (one Gold); the Business Traveller Cellars in the Sky Awards 2010 (Silver) and 2012 (two Gold). Over the last year, Oman Air has also won two awards at the Arab Tourism Media awards, and three categories of the Oman Web Awards, as has received the Readers' Choice Award at the Saveur Culinary Travel Awards, in recognition of the extraordinarily high standards of inflight cuisine. In addition, the airline was ranked highly in the American Express Executive Travel magazine's list of the world's best airlines, and in Business Insider's World's Best Airlines 2014. More recently, Oman Air has scooped four awards at the Oman Airports Management Company Second Annual Awards ceremony, on February 2015. The national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman was recognized as one of the top five airlines by number of passengers carried at Muscat International Airport. It also received an award as one of the top three airlines at Salalah International Airport, as well as receiving accolades in the Non-Aeronautical and Stakeholder of the Year 2014 categories.
© Press Release 2015
