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As part of Oman’s National Aviation Strategy 2030, Oman has announced its plans to launch the Muscat Airport City to boost airport capacity and the National Travel Operator (NTO) with the larger goal of securing a bigger share in the international aviation and tourism sector market. The objective is to increase inbound travel, attract high-value tourists from key commercial markets including India.
The strategy will also boost job creation and increase the local skill base. The announcement also marked the two-year anniversary for Oman Aviation Group (OAG) – an umbrella company encompassing Oman Air, Oman Airports and Transom (until recently Oman Aviation Services) and the first such company in the world to represent a country’s entire aviation sector.
Through these strategic and long-term initiatives, Oman Aviation Group (OAG) aims to expand commerce, investments and tourism from Oman’s key markets such as India.
“The National Aviation Strategy will revolutionise our sector in Oman by bringing forward new projects at every point in the aviation lifecycle. From a remodelled Oman Air bringing high-value inbound tourists to the Sultanate; to a masterplan for Muscat Airport City that will promote investment, job creation, and support SMEs; to the National Travel Operator offering for the first time a comprehensive tool to sell local travel services to international markets.
The Strategy will ensure aviation, which touches so many other sectors and industries, becomes a key driver for economic growth in the Sultanate,” said Mustafa Al Hinai, Group CEO, Oman Aviation Group. “The targets we’ve set are of course ambitious, befitting the trust put in us by the nation. But the region is well placed for logistics growth. And with IATA predicting there will be 500 million passengers flying to, from, or within the Middle East by 2037; the opportunity for Oman as a standout destination is clear.”
While the National Travel Operator (NTO) will serve as a ‘one-stop-shop’ to connect and grow Omani travel providers – from transport services, hotels, and airlines, to customers in the Sultanate’s target markets; the Muscat Airport City will offer dedicated spaces for all important areas of Oman’s aviation sector such as e-commerce, air freight & logistics, mixed-use business, aviation & passenger terminal and shopping & hospitality.
A comprehensive air freight strategy will help Oman maintain its air cargo market share and support key national industries, like fisheries, in global markets. A new services centre will help international companies looking to increase freight traffic through the Sultanate’s airports. The Strategy also expands on the restructuring of Oman Air to become a destination business model airline.
His Excellency Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport, said, “The strategy will enable the aviation sector in the Sultanate to compete on a global level with an integrated organisation that aims to secure a bigger share in the international aviation and tourism market.” He added that “the aviation, logistics and travel sectors play an important role in achieving Oman’s Vision 2040 main goals.”
