MUSCAT: Oman Air is passing a major milestone this month with the occasion of its
30th anniversary, a journey which began in March 1993 with a single flight between the
cities of Muscat and Salalah. The route, operated by Boeing 737-300, marked the
launch of the airline’s domestic network, which was followed shortly after with its first
international flight between Muscat and Dubai. Over the past three decades, the airline
has gone from strength to strength and now flies to over 45 destinations as far as
Europe and the Far East, with a strong international presence and a reputation for
providing high quality products and outstanding customer service.
“Thirty years as Oman’s national airline is a milestone to be proud of,” said Eng.
Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air. “In that time, Oman Air has
grown from a small regional carrier connecting Omanis across the country to an award-
winning airline connecting visitors from around the world to Oman’s diverse natural
beauty and rich culture. Despite the challenges of the last few years, our goal continues
to be to serve our country by enabling Oman’s Vision 2040 ambitions, whether through
job creation, supporting the tourism and logistics industries, or increasing inward
investment. With three decades of experience and expertise to build on, we’re looking to
the future with renewed optimism.”
A cornerstone of Oman’s socio-economic development, since its maiden flight, Oman
Air has carried millions of passengers into the country, providing them with an authentic
introduction to Omani hospitality and culture. It has laid the foundations for a tourism
industry that has increased ten-fold over the last 30 years, contributing to the creation of
hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. It has transformed the local aviation
industry, not least by bringing training in-country with its state-of-the-art Flight Training
Centre, as well as running a number of successful graduate training programmes.
Meanwhile, it has maintained a steady rise in Omanisation, which now stands at 94%
(excluding female cabin crew).
Keeping pace with the rapid development of the aviation industry, the airline continues
to operate a fleet of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, while driving its commitment to
operational excellence. In 2022, Oman Air was ranked most punctual in the Middle East
and Africa, as per the results of the 2022 On-Time Performance Review by global
aviation analytics leader, Cirium. The airline’s on-time arrivals stood at 91.38%, making
it one of the best performing airlines globally. At the same time, its on-board products
have attracted international acclaim, most recently earning the 2023 5-Star Major Airline
rating by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), as well as the World’s
Leading Airline – Business Class and World’s Leading Airline – Customer Experience at
the World Travel Awards 2022.
As it looks to the coming years, Oman Air is working towards joining the oneworld
Alliance, which will see it broaden its network’s global reach and provide guests with
huge benefits and greater travel options, while further strengthening its leading position
in the Middle East by focusing on agility, efficiency, and new market opportunities.
