Oman Air reveals growth plan

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Al Haremi claims Oman Air’s orders for 19 aircraft are “merely the beginning”.

Oman Air has finally revealed the first phase of its development strategy following recent news that the Omani Government had taken an 84% stake in the carrier.

Plans include the immediate purchase of 19 aircraft, a complete brand makeover, and the launch of new long haul routes, including London and Bangkok, which could happen "as soon as November", according to Oman Air CEO, Ziad Bin Karim Al Haremi.

"Only yesterday it was a dream for us to be the only national carrier for the Sultanate of Oman," he said. "[And] only yesterday, it was an aspiration to have wide body long haul operations. This is becoming a reality."

The airline plans to purchase new Boeing 737's, and Airbus A330's and is currently considering long-term options for fleet expansion.

It will have received 10 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft by the end of March 2009, and nine Airbus A330s by the end of 2011.

"The above numbers of aircraft are merely the beginning. Management is actively preparing a five-year plan while an international consultancy firm will be engaged to prepare a 20-year plan," said Al Haremi.

The board would invite Boeing and Airbus to discuss Boeing 787s and Airbus 350s, with a view to modernising their fleet, he added.

"This is where we are heading; the latest aircraft with the latest In-flight Entertainment Systems. We are going to three-class configurations on some of our future long haul routes," he claimed.

Oman Air had also invited "a few companies" to create some ideas for a new brand image, he revealed.

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