Technology & IT | Sunday 1 March, 2015 12:43 am |

Oman Air has scooped four awards at the Oman Airports Management Company Second Annual Awards ceremony, held at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa in Muscat on Sunday 22nd February 2015.

The national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman was recognized as one of the top five airlines by number of passengers carried at Muscat International Airport. It also received an award as one of the top three airlines at Salalah International Airport, as well as receiving accolades in the Non-Aeronautical and Stakeholder of the Year 2014 categories.

Paul Gregorowitsch, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, received the awards on behalf of the airline and commented:

“Oman Air is pleased and proud to have its leading role at Oman’s airports recognized by these four awards. As the Sultanate’s national carrier, we are committed to supporting the growth of Oman’s airport sector, and to bringing increased numbers of visitors to the country. Our aircraft carried 5.1 million passengers in 2014, all of whom landed at Muscat or Salalah airports. The company’s direct and indirect contribution to the Omani economy over the same period was as much as OR 420 million.

“We also provide passenger services at Oman’s airports on behalf of a number of other airlines and at Muscat International Airport alone our airport staff handled 8.7 million customers last year.

“As Oman Air’s rapid expansion continues, we look forward to continuing our work with OAMC to offer the very best in 21st Century air travel both on the ground and in the air.”

Sheikh Samir Al Nabhani, General Manager of Oman Air’s Commercial Operations, added that Oman Air has played an essential role in developing the Sultanate’s travel industry over the past years. Furthermore, the national carrier has made a major contribution to the growth in the number of passengers flying from and to Oman.

Oman Air launched two new international routes last year, to Manila and Jakarta, taking the number of international destinations offered at Muscat International Airport to 62. Oman Air’s services account for 58 per cent of the total traffic handled by the airport.

Oman Air's growth strategy was launched in November 2014 and will see the airline expand its fleet from 30 to over 50 narrowbody and widebody aircraft by 2018. The first of 15 new Boeing 737s and three Airbus A330s touched down at Muscat International airport recently. In addition, six Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be delivered between 2015 and 2017.

Oman Air has also been recognized for its service quality and punctuality at airports around the world. Most recently, the airline topped London Heathrow's punctuality league for November 2014, and, on United Nations International Migration Day, Oman Air was also named as The Best Airline Operating To and From Chittagong, in Bangladesh. And, in the last few weeks, Oman Air has announced its intention to launch new services to Singapore, Goa and Dhaka.