Oman Air Cargo Set to Showcase Growing Capabilities at Air Cargo Europe 2023

Oman Air’s Cargo division is gearing up for the upcoming Air Cargo Europe 2023, set to take place in Munich from 9-12 May. The four-day event, considered the leading platform for international networking in the air freight industry, is anticipated to bring in over 2,000 exhibitors from 125 countries and regions. Oman Air Cargo will participate with a dedicated booth, where it will showcase its innovative solutions and upcoming plans, including its first freighter that is expected during Q4. “The air cargo industry is experiencing a remarkable surge and Oman is well-positioned to capitalise on this trend with its strategic location and its focus on logistics as a cornerstone of economic diversification. Our efforts to transform Oman into a global logistics hub have yielded impressive results, and we continue to achieve record growth, a testament to our unwavering commitment to keeping pace with emerging technologies and meeting the ever-increasing demand for air cargo services,” said Jaffar Al Lawati, Vice President – Commercial Cargo at Oman Air. “As we prepare to attend Air Cargo Europe 2023, we are eager to showcase our capabilities, engage with industry leaders, and explore opportunities to support our partners in achieving their business objectives.” Established in 2009, Oman Air Cargo has quickly built a reputation as a leading air cargo carrier in the Middle East, offering high-standard products and leading customer service. Delivering bespoke solutions for all kinds of freight transportation needs, including special commodities such as pharma, fresh produce, valuables and dangerous goods, it continues to innovate and invest in state-of-the-art technology to meet the evolving demands of its rapidly growing global customer base.

Oman Air Celebrates First Female Omani Captain

Oman’s aviation industry has reached a landmark moment with the announcement of Oman Air pilot Maha Al Balushi as the first female Omani Captain. Al Balushi officially received her new rank during a ceremony recently held at the Oman Air’s headquarters in Muscat, the latest in a string of firsts she has achieved over her decade-long career with the airline. Al Balushi said, “My dream has always been to become a Captain. It hasn’t been easy but thanks to the support I have around me, from my family to my training team and the airline, I have accomplished what I set out to do. It is an honour to hold this role and I hope that I will inspire other Omani women to choose such a rewarding career in the skies.” Captain Moosa Al Shidhani, Senior Vice President Flight Operations at Oman Air, added, "We are thrilled to have Ms. Al Balushi as our first female Omani Captain, and we believe this is just the beginning of great things to come. This is not just a milestone for our airline but for Oman’s aviation industry, and we are honoured to play a leading role in its progress by continuing to nurture Omani talent in all areas of our operations." Maha Al Balushi has been with Oman Air since 2010, after graduating from the cadet programme at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia, the only woman who was enrolled in the programme at the time. Ms. Al Balushi also made waves when she became Oman’s first female First Officer in 2013. Oman Air continues to pursue a proactive policy of recognising talented and qualified women and supporting them to excel within their chosen careers. Today, over 1,230 Omani female employees contribute to the airline’s strength and represent a range of levels and roles including cabin crew, flight operations, engineering, airport services, marketing, customer services, sales and communications. Meanwhile, having achieved an Omanisation rate of 94% (excluding female cabin crew), the airline provides rich and varied career development opportunities, as well as internships and graduate training programmes that expand horizons for young Omanis.

Oman Air Celebrates Graduation of 11 Omani Cadets as Part of Major Training and Recruitment Drive

Oman Air recently celebrated the graduation of its first batch of Omani cadets from the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) programme, an initiative it launched in 2018. The event was marked with a ceremony held under the auspices of His Excellency Eng. Nayef Al Abri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority Oman. The 11 cadets, whose training was held at the Oman Aviation Academy in Sohar in partnership with CAE Oxford, will now join Oman Air as Second Officers. Meanwhile, the remaining batches are still engaged in their training with the next batch anticipated to graduate towards the end of this year. Committed to support ing Oman’s socio-economic development and empowering young Omanis , in the last few years Oman Air has ramped up its training and recruitment programmes . In conjunction with several government partnerships and to support its expanding operations , the airline h as welcom ed more than 260 Omani men and women into the company since 2022 . “ Oman’s aviation sector is fast becoming a value engine of the country’s growth. O man Air’s strategy reflects national priorities and a s such, we continue to develop a su stainable, highly skilled workforce that can support the advancement of the sector , meet the demands of an ever-evolving industry, and fo rtify our contribution to Oman’s 2040 Vision ,” said Captain Moosa Al Shidhani, S enior V ice P resident - F light O peration s at Oman Air. “ We are proud to have an exceptional team of world-class pilots and crew that includes many nationalities and are committed to ensuring they have access to a wealth of opportunit ies for both professional and personal growth . Together, we fos ter an environment that nurtures their talents and aspirations and supports Oman Air in our relentless pursuit of excellence .” In addition to the ATPL programme, h ighlights of Oman Air’s latest training and recruitment initiatives include a partner ship wi th The British School of Excellence and Muscat Hospitality Academy (MHA) for Preparatory Cabin Crew Training for Omani students. 63 students are currently enrolled in the programme. Last November, the airline also launched ‘Future Leaders’ , an intensive t wo -year commercial graduate training programme t hat is train ing 11 Oman is with internationally recognised qualifications and expos ing them to all Oman Air’s commercial functions, after which they will be offered roles within the company. Most recently, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, the airline launched an 18-month on-the-job intensive training programme and internship scheme for engineers , with 80 Omanis currently being trained in its Engineering department. A further 20 graduates are current ly being recruited for its Call Centre , also in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour. As the national carrier, Oman Air benefits from highly experienced and qualified Omanis , not just at entry level but throughout the company. To date, i ts overall Oman isation rate stands at approximately 75%, which is as high as 81% of pilots, 90% of engineers, 100% of male cabin crew, and 93% amongst the support functions.

Oman Air Announces Double Daily Flights to Istanbul and Daily Flights to Trabzon

With summer approaching, Oman Air has announced the expansion of its flight offerings to Turkey. In response to the growing demand for travel to this popular destination, the airline has re-launched its popular Trabzon route and is increasing the frequency of its flights to Istanbul, providing guests with more options and flexibility during the peak season. As of June, holiday-goers can choose from twice daily flights to Istanbul as well as daily flights to Trabzon, at convenient timings. Whether travellers are seeking to explore the cultural and historic sites of Istanbul or soak up the breathtaking landscapes of Trabzon, the airline is committed to delivering a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. With the new flight options, guests can plan an unforgettable trip to Turkey with ease. Guests travelling to Turkey should ensure they are aware of official requirements to enter or transit through the country. Those wishing to enhance their stay can also book a customised Turkey holiday package through Oman Air Holidays by visiting holidays.omanair.com.

Oman Air Announces Network Expansion

Oman Air Announces Network Expansion by Adding Four Destinations and Massive Frequency Increases to its 2023 Summer Schedule Continuing its ambitious and dynamic strategy of fleet and network expansion, Oman Air has unveiled its summer schedule for 2023. The schedule specifies significant frequency increases on existing routes, and the addition of four destinations—representing a 60% increase in the number of flights from its hub in Muscat compared to the previous year. This will provide the market with approximately 60,000 more seats weekly across its network and provide greater convenience and connectivity for Oman Air guests. The four additional destinations being introduced for the summer schedule are: four-weekly flights from Muscat to Chittagong (from March end); four-weekly flights from Muscat to Maldives (from June end); twelve-weekly flights from Muscat to Lucknow and five-weekly flights between Muscat and Thiruvananthapuram (from August). Due to popular demand, the new summer schedule will see frequency increases to the following regions: Far East Indian Sub-Continent Europe GCC Daily flights to Phuket (from March end, wide-body) Double-daily flights to Mumbai (from March end, wide-body) Daily flights to Moscow (from March end, wide-body) Double-daily flights to Kuwait (from June) Ten-weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur ( from June) Double-daily flights to Chennai (from March end) Six-weekly flights to Paris (from March end) Five-daily flights to Salalah (from July) Double-daily flights to Cochin (from March end) Daily flights to Trabzon (from March end) Double-daily flights to Kozhikode (from March end) Double-daily flights to Istanbul (from June) Double-daily flights to Hyderabad (from March end) Daily flights to Dhaka (from March end, wide-body) The expanded network and schedule for 2023 demonstrates Oman Air's ongoing efforts to contribute to the economy of the Sultanate of Oman while also exhibiting its drive for increased global reach through its award-wining services and products, along with its signature Omani hospitality both in the air and on the ground.

Oman Air Cargo Continues to Achieve Sustained Growth with a 42% Increase in Volumes for H1 2023

Oman Air Cargo has released its results for the first half of 2023, recording a remarkable 42% increase in cargo volumes compared to the same period in 2022, primarily driven by capacity expansion. Between January and June, total cargo revenue surpassed OMR 22.3 million, reflecting the resilience of operations amidst challenging market conditions. Despite a dip in yield compared to the previous year, the results indicate healthy growth and the carrier’s focus on technology, efficiency and customer service are ensuring it retains its strong position in the market. Since its inception in 2009, Oman Air Cargo has maintained a remarkable upward trajectory. Having obtained the IATA CEIV Pharma and CEIV Fresh certifications in 2021, it continues to gain significant momentum through time- and temperature-controlled shipments. While in 2022 it added several new destinations and introduced its innovative ‘Cargo-in-Cabin’ service to Europe, the Far East and Indian Subcontinent, its 2023 strategy includes the launch of its first ever freighter to meet growing demand. Furthermore, its ongoing digitalisation drive continues to make the customer experience simpler and more efficient, with a new Revenue Management System and online booking channels currently in the works. Leveraging Muscat’s strategic location connecting East and West, Oman Air Cargo’s state-of-the-art facilities ensure the seamless movement of cargo through its hub at Muscat International Airport. With bespoke solutions and the highest standards of safety and quality, it remains at the forefront of the rapidly evolving air cargo sector, while solidifying Oman’s standing as a key regional logistics hub.