Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has committed OR2 million to staff training in 2013, having already invested more than OR3.3 million over the previous two years.
In addition, Oman Air's Board of Directors has approved plans to fund full scholarships for 100 employees, enabling them to improve their academic qualifications in a range of administrative and technical disciplines. The initiative builds on existing training opportunities, such as Oman Air covering 75% of tuition fees on approved courses and offering unpaid study leave.
Each of the moves will be overseen by the Oman Air Training and Development Centre, which is recognized internationally for its quality and has been named by IATA for the last two years as one of the Top Ten Training Centres in the Middle East.
Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Wayne Pearce commented;
"One of Oman Air's greatest assets is its people and we are proud to be investing in increased training opportunities over the coming year.
"The training we have provided to staff over the last two years is already paying off, both for individual members of staff and for the company as a whole. To date, 26 candidates who have benefitted from Oman Air's funding have graduated from RMIT, one of Australia's internationally approved aviation colleges, and are now undergoing practical training. In addition, we have funded an average of ten trainee engineers per year through to full qualification, and are currently training 100 candidates as passenger service staff, 30 as ramp service staff and 30 as cargo service staff. Furthermore, we have 77 commercial pilot's license holders working towards qualification as First Officers.
"We now have staff placed at every level of Oman Air who have been assisted by the superb standard of training offered by our Training and Development Centre. It is gratifying to see the invaluable contribution that graduates are making to the ongoing success of Oman Air and to the economic prosperity of the Sultanate of Oman."
The Oman Air Training and Development Center was established to improve the professional skills and academic qualifications of employees, and to develop and raise awareness of the latest developments within Oman Air and the broader aviation industry. Over the last 20 years, it has developed an enviable reputation for delivering the highest standards of training, implementing a range of specialized training courses and working with acknowledged industry experts and training partners. Its well-qualified staff and outstanding facilities also make it a much sought-after venue for external organisations.
Saleh bin Abdullah Al Zadjali, Senior Manager, Training and Development Center at Oman Air added:
"With the invaluable support of Oman Air's Board and senior managers, the Training and Development Centre has delivered a range of specialized international training programmes that have provided career development for trainees and strengthened Oman Air's staff teams.
"We have worked closely with every department within Oman Air to create training plans which support Oman Air's commitment to providing services of the highest standard and offering customers an unbeatable passenger experience. We now look forward to building on our excellent track record by developing and implementing integrated training programmes that both meets the needs of both Oman Air's individual staff members and support Oman Air in its ongoing mission to provide all our customers with the very best that 21st Century air travel has to offer."
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, Tehran 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.
Oman Air has also codeshare partnerships with Emirates Airlines giving travellers better connectivity and an extended range of services between Dubai and Muscat as well as with Qatar Airways allowing Oman Air's customers to book flights from any of the 42 departure points within its network to Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Oman Air's fleet currently consists of four Airbus A330-200s, three Airbus A330-300s, 17 Boeing 737-700s/800s, four Embraer E175s and two ATR 42s.
Oman Air will be taking delivery of 6 new Boeing 737s as of 2014, as well as 6 Boeing 787s Dreamliners, which are scheduled for delivery starting 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 (World Airline Awards 2012); 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 in addition to the Best First Class Female Amenity Bag and the Best Business Class Unisex Amenity Bag at the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Bag Awards 2011. Oman Air was awarded The Best Business Class Airline, Middle East at the Business Destinations Travel Awards 2012.
© Press Release 2013
