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 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.

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.