logo
Oman in serious talks with Wizz Air after Abu Dhabi exit

Oman in serious talks with Wizz Air after Abu Dhabi exit

Times of Oman19-07-2025
MUSCAT: Oman Airports is in serious discussions with European budget airline Wizz Air to launch direct flights from European cities to the Sultanate, following the airline's announcement that it will cease operations in Abu Dhabi this September.
Engineer Ahmed Said Al Amri, CEO of Oman Airports, confirmed to the Oman News Agency (ONA) that the company is actively engaged with Wizz Air on establishing routes connecting Muscat with European airports, including Budapest.
'The company is currently discussing with the budget airline Wizz Air the possibility of operating direct flights from European airports to Oman, whether via the Hungarian capital, Budapest, or other European cities,' Al Amri said.
'He indicated that the company is very serious about launching these routes soon,' ONA reported.
The discussions come at a pivotal time for Wizz Air, which is winding down its Gulf operations and refocusing its strategy on core European markets.
Oman, with its increasing appeal as a tourism and logistics hub, is actively positioning itself as a key alternative for international carriers seeking reliable regional access.
Al Amri noted that attracting new airlines is part of a broader strategy by Oman Airports to enhance revenue streams and improve operational performance, in line with national objectives.
Wizz Air's potential entry into the Omani market would significantly improve the Sultanate's connectivity with Europe and support its aviation and tourism growth goals. If the talks result in a finalised agreement, the new routes could launch in the near future.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Souqs, tourist spots thrive during khareef
Souqs, tourist spots thrive during khareef

Observer

time4 hours ago

  • Observer

Souqs, tourist spots thrive during khareef

SALALAH: Dhofar Governorate is experiencing a boom in commercial activity in traditional markets (souqs), shopping centres and tourism sites during the Khareef Dhofar Season. The business activity is driven by a large influx of visitors to the governorate who wish to enjoy the exceptional monsoon weather. It constitutes direct support to the national economy. Commercial activities range from shopping in traditional souqs and modern malls - with an observable rise in sales of handicrafts and local delicacies - to rising demand for restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, tourist sites and entertainment facilities. The owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) told Oman News Agency (ONA) that Khareef Dhofar Season provides a great opportunity for the growth of sales and the expansion of commercial activity. - ONA

'very event is delivered straight from the heart'
'very event is delivered straight from the heart'

Observer

time4 hours ago

  • Observer

'very event is delivered straight from the heart'

Reema al Sajwani, a young Omani figure in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector, which plays a significant role in the tourism industry, believes that every event that hosts people is delivered straight from the heart. The story of Reema, a leading female entrepreneur in the events industry, is an inspiring tale that showcases how courage, vision and clarity can lead to success. Her hard work and determination helped her overcome numerous challenges to become the successful woman she is today. Her name has become synonymous with the next wave of female entrepreneurs in the events industry after organising key events both in and outside of Oman in recent years. "No one knew who Reema al Sajwani was when I organised my first event, but I am grateful that I introduced myself through high-quality performance and achieved my goals," said Reema, the Founder and Chairperson of Reema Integrated Projects Company, a renowned event management firm. She has successfully organised fashion shows, events and exhibitions and is a member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "In today's competitive business environment, the events industry is an excellent career choice for women aspiring to be entrepreneurs. Role models like Reema show that success is achievable and may inspire the next generation of women to start their own event management companies," she affirmed. Reema has received numerous accolades and her organisation was recognise by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for five consecutive years as the most supportive firm for managing events and conferences to aid SMEs. "The journey has never been smooth. There were turbulence and storms, but I overcame them all and sailed to success because I always believed that challenges are the secret to success. I believed in myself and my abilities to achieve my goals and I did," she smiled. According to Reema, SMEs are crucial for a nation's development as they are the primary engine of economic growth, job creation and social progress. They contribute to GDP, drive innovation and enhance economic competitiveness. Reema's efforts to empower SMEs are commendable. She has supported several SMEs with her exceptional leadership, event management skills and entrepreneurial expertise. Reema believes that effective leadership is essential for business growth and long-term success and her company, Reema Integrated Projects Company, has been expanding horizontally under her astute leadership. In addition to her strong educational background, Reema is a researcher in entrepreneurship innovation, holds a certificate in the exhibition industry, and has a diploma in fashion design. She has been recognised as one of the guiding stars among other Arab women leaders who have made significant contributions to the events industry recently.

First local company specialising in health insurance claims management established in Oman
First local company specialising in health insurance claims management established in Oman

Times of Oman

time9 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

First local company specialising in health insurance claims management established in Oman

Muscat: The first company specializing in health insurance claims management 'Green Line Health Insurance Claims Management Company' was established on Sunday. It is the first Omani company licensed for this activity, supported by a national vision consistent with the directives of Oman Vision 2040, aiming to provide services with global standards using the latest technologies, and to enhance and empower national competencies to undertake a key role in this new field. The move comes amid accelerating growth in the health insurance sector and the increasing need for smart solutions to enhance the efficiency of medical services. Faisal Hamad Al Rashdi, Co-founder and CEO of Green Line Insurance Services, stated that, due to his long experience in the health insurance sector, he observed the operational challenges facing this sector, whether at the level of insurance companies, healthcare providers, or even policyholders. Given a clear gap in claims management, Al Rashdi decided to establish this company, especially with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) announcing the opening for applications to practice health insurance claims management as an independent and regulated activity. This presented a national opportunity to establish a specialized local company that contributes to building this vital sector. He explained that the market lacked a specialised company in health insurance claims management, with a greater reliance on foreign companies managing operations from outside Oman. This affected the speed and quality of services, in addition to the possibility of health data – which is highly sensitive – being leaked through external systems. The Financial Services Authority had taken the initiative to issue clear legislation to ensure the protection of this data within Oman. He noted that the company represents a reliable source managed by national competencies, meeting market needs through its proximity to clients, which directly reflects on work quality and the speed of transaction completion. Regarding the market's reception of this project, Faisal Al Rashdi affirmed that it is natural for any sector to face some challenges when entering a phase of change, especially when there are long-standing working relationships between the market and external parties that have managed this activity for decades. However, he stressed the necessity of redoubling efforts to build trust and confirm readiness to provide high-standard services that meet the needs and aspirations of target groups, in addition to full compliance with national regulations. As for the project's nature, he mentioned that the company offers a comprehensive package of services in health insurance claims management that meets international standards. These include accurate and prompt medical claims management, medical and administrative verification using smart systems to detect duplication and errors, as a step towards time management. It also covers medical network management, from contracting with hospitals and clinics to ensuring the quality of service provided to policyholders, in addition to data analysis and smart reporting that helps insurance companies make decisions based on accurate data. He emphasised that the company relies heavily on digital solutions and modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, for faster data analysis and the automation of routine operations using robotic process automation (RPA), which reduces manual errors and saves time and effort. Furthermore, it is fully integrated with the national platform developed by the Financial Services Authority ("Dhamani" platform), which has been approved for fully electronic operations. He clarified that the company handles data confidentially, storing client data on company-owned servers only, without relying on external servers, to ensure complete control over information security. It applies best cybersecurity standards, such as advanced data encryption during transmission and storage, firewalls, and intrusion detection and prevention systems. Additionally, access permissions are granted on a limited and well-considered basis according to the employees' job roles, along with adherence to all local and international laws and regulations related to data protection and periodic reviews to ensure continuous compliance.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store