Air connectivity essential for Masirah Island

Ali Al Matani -
ali.matani2@gmail.com -

The government agencies are making huge efforts to connect Wilayat of Masirah through all means of transportation. They are making all efforts to reduce the difficulties faced by people of the area and travellers in commuting to and from Masirah Island.
Aviation companies should undertake efforts to connect the wilayat, which is located in a geographically remote area.
Whatever the distance, Masirah Island and its people will remain close to our hearts. We need to understand there is tremendous suffering due to lack of air connectivity.
The area could have a regular air link with at least two flights a week — Saturdays and Thursdays — to ferry the citizens to and from the island.
It could also have other forms of maritime transportation. Private ferries can help too.
Masirah is like any other remote wilayat which is more than 600 km from Muscat. Therefore, there is a need to activate tourism and economic movement in the area, especially since it has potential.
This can help boost the Sultanate’s financial revenues. The economic goals can be achieved by starting regular flights. This will reduce the
suffering of both residents as well as tourists.
This will ease people’s hardship when travelling to and from Masirah by road and entering into sea. They often face high tides and storms. If these difficulties are reduced and travel time shortened, it will bring this beautiful island closer to Muscat and other governorates.
Once a regular air link is established, residents as well as tourists can visit the island on weekends and return directly. This can be achieved without any hassle.
The highly commendable job is being carried out by the Royal Air Force of Oman in the area. It transports citizens to and from such areas, particularly those requiring such support during emergencies.
If a flight is started from this remote island, it will serve as a permanent solution to the problem that needs to be addressed at the earliest. An airport already exists there.
One only need to find ways to benefit from the facility and infrastructure, which is already available.
The facility can be used for civilian purposes such as starting flight operations and dealing with technical difficulties, if any.
Everyone is looking forward to the day an announcement is made in this regard. This is vital to connect the people of Masirah Island with capital Muscat.
We all know an enhanced means of communication helps in economic development of the area as well as increased integration of the place with the mainland.
If the aviation companies make an effort to link Masirah by air, it will be a huge success. It should be done at the earliest. It is the right of the people of the area.
This is what is required by the people who want to be integrated with the country economically. In return, such a decision will give opportunities to aviation companies to start their operations.