
Oman Air joins Oneworld alliance, expands reach and benefits
Muscat – In a strategic move set to boost inbound tourism, Oman Air has officially joined the Oneworld alliance, becoming its 15th full member. Its inclusion in one of the world's most prestigious airline networks positions Oman as a more connected and accessible destination than ever before, opening new travel corridors to and from over 900 destinations across 170 countries.
This milestone follows more than two years of integration efforts and is expected to drive tourism, economic growth and global recognition for the sultanate.
Speaking during a breakfast meeting at W Hotel on Monday, Con Korfiatis, CEO of the airline, said, 'Oman Air is honoured to be joining the Oneworld alliance. We are thrilled to welcome Oneworld customers to experience Oman's rich culture, mountain adventures, serene beaches and heartfelt hospitality. For Oman-based travellers, this opens up a world of seamless global journeys.'
As a full member, Oman Air's top-tier guests will now enjoy access to nearly 700 business lounges worldwide, including newly opened Oneworld-branded lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol and Seoul Incheon. Guests will also benefit from priority check-in, boarding, mileage earning and redemption, and full status recognition across the alliance. Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air
The move is set to attract more visitors from key long-haul markets such as the United States, Japan and Australia, offering them smoother travel to Oman through partner airlines.
Welcoming the development, Nat Pieper, CEO of Oneworld, said, 'Oman Air brings valuable strategic reach and award-winning service to our network. This partnership enhances our connectivity across the Gulf and South Asia, and strengthens our position as the alliance of choice for international travellers. With Oneworld membership, Oman Air not only enhances its service portfolio but also places the sultanate firmly on the global travel map as a must-visit destination.'
The announcement comes as Oman Air expands its global footprint, with new direct flights from Muscat to Amsterdam launching on July 1, and a double daily Muscat–London service starting in October. Oman Air currently operates flights to 42 destinations in 22 countries, and this partnership significantly increases its reach.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Observer
5 hours ago
- Observer
Oman Air joins oneworld alliance
Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, announced on Monday a myriad of potential benefits for inbound tourism as well as sustainable initiatives aligning with Oman Vision 2040. Additionally, they have introduced a range of services and facilities for guests, including access to hundreds of new connections and all-new loyalty benefits across the world. Oman Air, which recently announced the expansion of its network, including the launch of a non-stop Muscat–Amsterdam route from July 1, 2025, officially joined the oneworld alliance as its 15th member airline. This move creates significant new benefits for its guests and elevates Oman's position on the global map. During a press meeting with the top officials of the carrier, the management expressed hope that Oman Air's membership in one of the leading global alliances would increase international awareness and inbound tourism potential for Oman. 'Oman Air is honoured to be joining the oneworld alliance, whose members and global footprint represent the best of what international travellers want to experience. We will be able to offer seamless travel to over 900 destinations in 170 countries and territories, adding to the limitless benefits to the end-user, while keeping pace with the strategic goals of Oman Vision 2040,' said Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air. As a full oneworld member airline, Oman Air's top-tier guests will gain access to all oneworld priority benefits, including a network of nearly 700 Business lounges globally, as well as newly opened oneworld branded lounges in Amsterdam's Schiphol and Seoul's Incheon Airports. Likewise, Oman Air will provide oneworld Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby customers with a full suite of oneworld benefits, including earning and redeeming miles, earning status points, priority check-in and boarding and lounge access. Through seamless connectivity across the airline's 15 world-class member airlines, travellers from key markets like the United States, Japan and Australia can now enjoy smoother, more convenient journeys to Oman. Oman Air has announced an expanded double daily Muscat-London route starting in October. Oman Air now serves 42 destinations across 22 countries, with onward connections to hundreds more through the oneworld alliance. 'We are proud to welcome Oman Air to the oneworld family,' added Nat Pieper, CEO of oneworld. 'Oman Air brings valuable strategic reach and award-winning product and service to the alliance. This partnership opens up exciting new connections for our customers, particularly across the Gulf and South Asia, and reinforces oneworld's position as the leading alliance for international travellers.'


Observer
5 hours ago
- Observer
First Oman-made long stroke pump unit launched
MUSCAT, JUNE 30 Oman has taken a bold step toward becoming a regional manufacturing hub for artificial lift systems with the successful production of the first Long Stroke Pump Unit (LSU) made entirely within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Developed by Oilfields Smart Technologies LLC (OST), this milestone marks the country's emergence as a serious player in oilfield technology. In an exclusive interview with Oman Observer, Mohammed Alawi, Business Development & Technical Director at OST, said: 'A significant number of wells in Oman already use artificial lift solutions, with most equipment currently imported. By manufacturing these units locally, we're establishing a base for in-country production that can evolve into a regional supply hub — if market feedback is strong, we're ready to scale quickly.' Artificial lift systems are critical to extracting oil from the most mature oilfields in MENA, because of many reasons like low-pressure reservoirs, challenging fields, etc. OST's locally produced LSU introduces a cost-effective and technically advanced alternative to widely used methods such as beam pumps, PCPs, and ESPs. 'The long stroke technology offers several technical benefits,' Alawi explained. 'It's especially effective in wells with high gas-oil ratios, heavy oil, or high-temperature and deviated well conditions. It also offers high energy efficiency, long lifespan, low operating costs, and minimal maintenance.' The company's innovation aligns closely with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to diversify the national economy and foster local industrial capabilities. By building and assembling complex artificial lift systems domestically, OST is creating new job opportunities and driving the development of specialised engineering and manufacturing skills among Omani professionals. Meanwhile, Abdul Malik al Bahri, CEO at OST said, 'Clients often cite overseas supply and service delays as a concern. By moving manufacturing to Oman, we can reduce lead times, lower costs, and offer more responsive support. This is also a chance to transfer know-how into the local economy — from mechanical and control engineering to reservoir analysis and materials science.' OST's manufacturing and support network includes workshops in Samayil Industrial City in the north and Al Mazyuna Free Zone in the south — strategically located to support oilfields across Oman's geography. The company is also open to establishing mobile or fixed facilities closer to clients as needed. The initiative is supported by a joint venture between Al Olia for Investment and Industry Gate LLC, an Omani firm involved in energy projects since 2014, and Dutch Smart Technology Holding B.V. (DST), a Netherlands-based investor in oil and gas innovation. This partnership provides OST with both local grounding and international technical expertise. According to Alawi, the specially engineered belt-driven LSU features advanced automation capabilities, including variable frequency drives (VFD), dynamograph monitoring, and load control systems. These allow for precision pumping and improved safety, tailored for high-performance onshore operations. 'While the LSU's rated capacity can reach up to 1,500 to 2,000 barrels per day, its actual output depends on well conditions like reservoir pressure, oil composition, and GOR,' he said. 'In fact, LSUs have recorded over 4,500 bpd in the Permian Basin in Texas. So the ceiling is high if the well/reservoir conditions can feed it.' The full value chain — from concept design to commissioning — is being built inside the Sultanate of Oman. This effort not only enhances In-Country Value (ICV) but also opens doors for young Omanis to pursue careers in high-tech manufacturing and oilfield services. 'This is more than just a product,' Al Bahri concluded. 'It's a platform for Oman to develop engineering talent, raise local manufacturing standards, and become a serious contributor to the regional oil and gas technology supply chain.' With the first unit ready for deployment and client engagement underway, OST's success could signal a broader shift in how Oman harnesses innovation to support its energy sector and economic future.


Muscat Daily
6 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Oman Air joins Oneworld alliance, expands reach and benefits
Muscat – In a strategic move set to boost inbound tourism, Oman Air has officially joined the Oneworld alliance, becoming its 15th full member. Its inclusion in one of the world's most prestigious airline networks positions Oman as a more connected and accessible destination than ever before, opening new travel corridors to and from over 900 destinations across 170 countries. This milestone follows more than two years of integration efforts and is expected to drive tourism, economic growth and global recognition for the sultanate. Speaking during a breakfast meeting at W Hotel on Monday, Con Korfiatis, CEO of the airline, said, 'Oman Air is honoured to be joining the Oneworld alliance. We are thrilled to welcome Oneworld customers to experience Oman's rich culture, mountain adventures, serene beaches and heartfelt hospitality. For Oman-based travellers, this opens up a world of seamless global journeys.' As a full member, Oman Air's top-tier guests will now enjoy access to nearly 700 business lounges worldwide, including newly opened Oneworld-branded lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol and Seoul Incheon. Guests will also benefit from priority check-in, boarding, mileage earning and redemption, and full status recognition across the alliance. Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air The move is set to attract more visitors from key long-haul markets such as the United States, Japan and Australia, offering them smoother travel to Oman through partner airlines. Welcoming the development, Nat Pieper, CEO of Oneworld, said, 'Oman Air brings valuable strategic reach and award-winning service to our network. This partnership enhances our connectivity across the Gulf and South Asia, and strengthens our position as the alliance of choice for international travellers. With Oneworld membership, Oman Air not only enhances its service portfolio but also places the sultanate firmly on the global travel map as a must-visit destination.' The announcement comes as Oman Air expands its global footprint, with new direct flights from Muscat to Amsterdam launching on July 1, and a double daily Muscat–London service starting in October. Oman Air currently operates flights to 42 destinations in 22 countries, and this partnership significantly increases its reach.