Oman Air Cuts 1,000 Jobs Including 500 Expats In Major Restructuring Effort
Oman Air has cut 1,000 jobs, including 500 expatriate positions, as part of a major restructuring effort aimed at improving efficiency and achieving financial sustainability.
Eng. Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of Oman Air and Oman Airports, said the move was necessary to align staffing levels with industry standards. Before the restructuring, around 45 percent of the airline's workforce consisted of non-core employees, a figure far higher than regional averages.
Oman Air previously employed about 4,300 people, compared to an industry benchmark of around 2,700 for airlines with similar fleet sizes, Al Maawali said.
The reduction included a voluntary retirement program, accepted by 310 employees. Others were offered alternative positions with the same salaries but reduced benefits. Of the total cuts, 400 were Omani nationals.
Al Maawali also responded to reports regarding the sale of aircraft to Qatar Airways, denying any direct transaction. He said the aircraft were sold through a public auction and involved older planes no longer in active use.
Separately, the Acting CEO of Oman Airports outlined development plans for the old Muscat airport, including tenders to assess the site and proposals for new investment projects, such as establishing a company to support fish exports.
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