Muscat: Oman is seeking to make major developments to its aviation sector across several areas of operation, to improve the Sultanate’s connectivity with the world, and invite more international companies to set up operations here, as part of its National Aviation Strategy 2030.

Spread out across the tourism and logistics sectors, the plans aim to make Oman a more attractive destination for tourists and businesses alike. As part of its efforts that link aviation to tourism, Oman plans on making its national airline – Oman Air – the regional leader when it comes to promoting national tourism, while ensuring Muscat International Airport offers passengers the best in aviation services.

In addition, improvements made in the logistics sector will see better air freight services, airport free zones where aviation companies can set up shop, and enhanced cargo handling services. A big push is also being made to enable maritime-air connectivity from Muscat Airport, with all of these services being tailored to meet customers’ needs.

All of these developments will see the construction of the Muscat Airport City, which will be a key project for the country over the next few years. Commenting on this, Dr Ahmed Al Futaisi, the Minister of Transport, said, “The National Aviation Strategy has been discussed and endorsed by the cabinet, and it is an ambition for the aviation sector to be an enabler for other sectors in Oman, such as tourism and logistics.

“The airport city will involve expanding of the existing terminal building to go beyond just the terminals, by creating logistics areas, warehouses, creating gates for various aviation-related businesses, and free zones near the airport, so basically, we are creating an integrated aviation city around the airport,” he added. Commenting on Oman Air’s plans to encourage more passengers to come to Oman, the minister said, “The airline will work as a destination airline that will try to attract travellers to us. Moreover, the aviation sector will be an enabler for another important sector... that is logistics. Therefore, it will help the logistics sector, which will allow smooth transfer of goods in terms of air cargo, sea cargo, ease of doing business and the airports’ link with cargo, so that the volume of cargo in Oman increases.”

The Minister of Transport’s comments came during a conference on Wednesday to discuss the National Aviation Strategy.

As part of this, the National Travel Operator digital portal was also launched to act as a single point of contact between those who wish to visit Oman, and companies that provide tourism-based services to them.

Al Futaisi said, “Through a digital platform, we are linking all the tourism service providers in Oman, be it a hotel, a transport agent, a restaurant or a tourism company, they will be linked through this platform, to travellers around the world, and we will be announcing details of this platform internationally during the conference that is coming up on March 2.”

© Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Disclaimer: The content of this article is syndicated or provided to this website from an external third party provider. We are not responsible for, and do not control, such external websites, entities, applications or media publishers. The body of the text is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither we nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this article. Read our full disclaimer policy here.