Suhar Airport, considered as the third hub after Muscat and Salalah, is expected to revitalise the business prospects of the Al Batinah Governorate after Qatar Airways announced it would launch regular flights.
Previously, Oman Air stopped flying to Suhar when the company cited lack of demand. Local airline Salam Air is already flying there with Sharjah’s Air Arabia started first flight this month. The two airlines are low cost carriers and are not expected to change the economic outlook of the Al Batinah Governorate. But Qatar Airways, which received the coveted World’s Best Airline award this year, has the firepower to substantially lift the business prospects of the area.
The airline, which is one of the richest in the world, has over 170 aircraft and fly over 150 destinations. The decision to fly to Suhar means Qatar Airways is set to transfer all its operations from the United Arab Emirates to northern Oman.
That also means the airline is effectively gearing up to make Suhar its biggest hub in the region second only after Hamad International Airport in Doha. The UAE made up a third of the carrier’s regional operations.
Rerouting flights to Suhar and making the airport its main regional hub after Doha’s Hamad International Airport, the port in the industrial town will receive a major boost.
Another boost for Suhar is that Qatar Airways is the fifth largest air freight operator in the world with massive ground handling operations. Suhar, which is home to big industries and projects such as the 116,000 barrels per day refinery, the free trade zone port, the aluminium smelter, a methanol plant and the production of iron and steel. Suhar’s industries will be supported by Qatar Airways massive air cargo capacity to carry supplies for the port’s imports or fly them out for exports.
It will start three flights a week from August 8 but the plan is to upgrade daily flights once everything is in place. It will be the only international fully fledged airline to fly from Suhar but the move will encourage and attract more international airlines.
Apart from Suhar’s massive industry potential that links with the international businesses, the city and the surrounding towns will benefit from tourism as well. Suhar has a rich history, heritage and picturesque villages. It is the birthplace of Oman’s political renaissance. The legendary Sinbad the Sailor was born there.
The beach and the clear water of the sea are other attractions and so are the old fort and traditional marketplaces. It is the centre of activities in the Al Batinah Governorate and the second most populated city after Muscat. It also has the distinction of having the youngest population in Oman, too. Suhar and towns around it like Saham, Khabourah, Liwa and Shinas, are the most fertile in the country.
The Suhar airport’s support from international airlines will give a boost to farmers as well. At the moment, agricultural produce from the areas are transported by road but that would all change in the near future. With the Suhar airport operated by international airlines, the vegetables and fruits farmed there will be transported more efficiently and further by air. Since Suhar and the adjoining towns have the longest coastline in the country, fishermen also stand to benefit from the new activities of the airport. Fish exports will go up as fishermen will no longer rely on slow road networks.
Employment is another key factor that would receive a shot in the arm by having international airlines flying regularly there.
Not just aviation jobs but the airport will attract investments from SME projects. In conclusion, Muscat airport will have a new rival and another airport to support the air transport industry to diversify Oman’s economy.
SALEH AL SHAIBANY
saleh_shaibani@yahoo.com
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