Latest news with #SaeedbinHamoudAlMaawali
Gulf Insider
26-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
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.
Gulf News
26-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
Oman Air cuts 1,000 jobs including 500 expats in major restructuring effort
Dubai: 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.
Iraq Business
21-04-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Oman Airports signs Partnership with Karbala Int'l Airport Investor
By John Lee. Oman Airports has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Taiba Karbala, the investor behind the Karbala International Airport project. The agreement covers the preparation, equipping, and initial operation of Karbala International Airport, one of Iraq's key aviation infrastructure projects. The agreement was signed by Oman's Minister of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology and Chairman of Oman Airports, Eng. Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, and Mr. Hassan Rashid Jawad Al Abayaji, Chairman of Taiba Karbala. Under the agreement, Omani technical, administrative, and operational teams will be stationed in Karbala for 15 months to oversee the initial phase, ensuring smooth airport operations in line with global aviation standards while training the airport's local workforce. Karbala International Airport, located strategically between Karbala and Najaf, is set to accommodate 2 million passengers in its first phase, expanding to 6 million in the second, and ultimately reaching 20 million upon full completion. (Source: Oman Airports)
Observer
19-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman Airports signs agreement to prepare for opening of Iraq's Karbala Airport
Muscat: In a move that reflects the deep fraternal relations and fruitful cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and Iraq, Oman Airports signed a strategic partnership agreement with Taiba Karbala Company, the investor in the Karbala International Airport project. The agreement relates to the preparation, setup, and initial operation of Karbala International Airport, one of the most vital projects in the Iraqi air transport sector. The agreement was signed by Eng. Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Airports, and by Hajj Hassan Rashid Jawad Al Abayji, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Taiba Karbala Company. The agreement duration will be for 15 months and will include equipping, preparing, and operating Karbala International Airport. Under the agreement, Oman Airports will offer Omani technical cadres to support the initial operation of Karbala International Airport in the first phase, and necessary operational support after operations. It will train all airport employees according to international specifications. The airport is strategically located between the cities of Karbala and Najaf and can handle 2 million passengers in the first phase and 20 million passengers by the final phase. The Karbala International Airport was constructed by the United Kingdom's Copperchase and designed by the French ADPI Company. At 4.5 km (2.8 miles), the airport's runway is the longest of its kind in Iraq.
Times of Oman
03-03-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Unified govt portal: A new era of digital transition in Oman
Muscat: Oman's digital transformation continues to gather momentum as the unified electronic government portal takes centre-stage, reshaping the way citizens and residents access government services. Designed to streamline processes and create a seamless user experience, the portal marks a significant leap forward in the country's efforts to improve the efficiency and accessibility of public services. Eng. Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and General Supervisor of the National Government Digital Transformation Programme, hailed the initiative as a game-changer in the provision of government services. Reshaping services 'The launch of the unified portal is not just about integrating services; it is about reshaping how we deliver these services to ensure they are faster, more accessible, and in line with global digital standards. This move is pivotal in enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of our government services,' Al Maawali said. The unified portal consolidates a range of services into one platform, reducing the need for users to navigate across multiple ministry websites. The portal integrates services from key government institutions, including the Royal Oman Police, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Housing, and Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, with other ministries to follow in the coming phases. Al Maawali further emphasised that the unified portal was created to align with Oman Vision 2040, aiming to create a more responsive and user-friendly government service ecosystem. 'Our objective is clear: to provide a digital platform that brings government services to the people efficiently, increasing our global competitiveness in digital services while delivering the best user experience possible,' he added. Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, spoke about the critical role of the portal in Oman's broader digital strategy. 'Digital transformation is essential for keeping pace with global technological advancements. The unified portal is a milestone in simplifying complex procedures, reducing the need for in-person visits, and instilling greater confidence in our public sector's efficiency,' he said. The portal's first phase includes 91 integrated digital services and is currently available to users across ten government institutions. 'Phase one is just the beginning. As we expand the portal's offerings, more services will be added progressively, ultimately providing a complete range of digital services for citizens and residents alike,' added Dr. Al Shidhani. 'We are working to ensure the portal grows and evolves to meet the dynamic needs of our population.' Eng. Saeed bin Abdullah Al Mandhari, CEO of Ithkaa Group, which is overseeing the development of the portal, highlighted the project's role in improving user accessibility. 'Our vision was to create a single, user-friendly platform that would bring together the disparate government services currently scattered across various portals,' he said. 'By consolidating services under one roof, we are eliminating redundancies and providing a streamlined experience that can be accessed from anywhere at any time.' One of the portal's key features is its accessibility, including tools for people with disabilities. 'We've ensured that the portal adheres to international accessibility standards, providing equal access to services for all users,' Al Mandhari explained. 'The focus is on inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can easily navigate and benefit from the digital services offered.' Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Kharousi, Director General of Digital Transformation at the Ministry, underscored the portal's technological advantages. 'The unified portal is powered by a robust infrastructure that ensures high performance and quick response times,' he said. 'We've incorporated advanced features, such as real-time predictive data and easy service evaluation tools, to ensure that government agencies can continuously improve service delivery based on user feedback and data-driven insights.' The portal also boasts a set of digital tools to help government institutions expedite the development of priority services. 'The platform's ability to integrate with existing systems and adapt to new technological advancements allows for rapid service updates and enhancements,' Al Kharousi noted. With the unified government portal, Oman is taking bold strides toward enhancing its digital infrastructure, simplifying the way public services are delivered, and meeting the expectations of a digital-first generation.
