Stronger skies ahead
Muscat: In a strong show of alignment and ambition, Oman Air and Oman Airports jointly announced a series of transformative achievements and forward-looking strategies at a high-profile press conference in Muscat on Wednesday, underscoring their shared vision for a financially sustainable and globally competitive aviation sector.
Held under the patronage of Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of both companies, the event spotlighted 2024 milestones while outlining bold reforms set to redefine the Sultanate's aviation landscape.
Speaking at the event, Eng. Al Maawali highlighted the strategic collaboration between Oman Air and Oman Airports, calling it a model of national integration aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
'This united vision is not just about business transformation—it is about positioning Oman as a competitive, sustainable aviation hub,' he said.
The event saw participation from senior executives, including Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oman Air, and Hamood bin Musbah Al Alawi, Acting CEO of Oman Airports, along with representatives from government entities, media, and strategic partners.
Oman Air reported strong momentum in its first full year of transformation. Key financial improvements included a 51% year-on-year rise in EBITDA, despite legacy financing costs amounting to OMR85 million.
The national carrier transported over 5.4 million passengers in 2024, with the number of Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) reported at around 19.4 billion, and its point-to-point traffic surged to 40%, up from 27% in 2019.
The airline completed a rightsizing programme that reduced expatriate staff by 487, increased Omanisation to 79.4% from 74.8% in 2023, and trimmed 13 aircraft from the fleet. These efforts are projected to deliver annual savings of OMR18 million.
Oman Air also redeployed 74 Omanis internally, absorbed 87 into the wider aviation ecosystem, and provided severance packages for 293 employees—an investment of nearly OMR15 million aimed at ensuring financial security.
Operationally, Oman Air posted a 92% on-time performance, ranking second in the MENA region by Cirium and second globally for December 2024 by OAG. It also bagged major international awards including APEX World Class, Best in Seat Comfort (APEX), and Best Airline Staff (Skytrax). Looking ahead, the airline is preparing to join the Oneworld Alliance in June 2025.
It has already recorded its highest-ever passenger load in Q1 2025 and will launch a new route to Amsterdam in July. Frequencies will also increase for key routes: double-daily flights to London from October and daily service to Moscow.
Oman Airports: Digitally driven, nationally focused
In mid-2024, Oman Airports launched a digital transformation plan aimed at boosting efficiency and enhancing passenger experience. This includes self-service baggage drop systems, advanced crowd management tools, and a centralised digital operations dashboard.
The operator posted its strongest EBITDA since inception, up 43%, and recorded a net profit of OMR 23.5 million—a 15% rise from the previous year. Total group revenue reached OMR 142.6 million, with Muscat International Airport welcoming 12.9 million passengers (+2% vs. 2023). Salalah Airport outperformed pre-pandemic levels, surpassing its 2019 figures by 17.3%, alongside a 33% increase in shareholder equity.
Oman Airports' Omanisation efforts were also noteworthy. A total of 357 nationals were recruited across airport contracts to replace expatriates, with 71 former Oman Air employees absorbed following the airline's restructuring. An additional 67 Omanis were employed to manage Muscat airport parking operations after the company brought this service in-house. Following the exit of a ground handling operator from the local market, Oman Airports also secured the jobs of 227 Omanis.
Despite operational challenges such as high emergency maintenance costs and underutilised land assets, officials expressed confidence in returning to pre-COVID transit passenger levels by 2026, supported by a rising number of tourist visa holders and direct flights into Salalah from Europe.
Both entities reaffirmed their shared commitment to sustainable growth, innovation, and strategic partnerships that strengthen Oman's global aviation standing.
Airfares to be fixed during Khareef
In a move welcomed by travellers, Oman Air confirmed that airfares on the Salalah–Muscat route will be capped during the upcoming Khareef season. The measure aims to make domestic air travel more affordable and encourage inbound tourism to the Dhofar region, particularly during the high-demand monsoon months.
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