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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Efforts on to bring direct flights to Sohar

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By Vinod Nair — MUSCAT: Feb. 18 - Efforts are still underway to bring direct flights to Sohar, but nothing has been materialised, said the top-most official of Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) last week. Speaking to the Observer, Dr Mohammed bin Nasser bin Ali al Zaabi, CEO, PACA, said, “Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) is doing its best to market the airport, but we are hoping for all the facilities to be completed to market it properly. There are still efforts to bring some direct flights, but nothing has materialised yet.”


He was speaking on the sidelines of a press conference by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC).


It was also noted that licensing process for Sohar Aviation College is underway, while the airport will be floated until the package three for private investment.


It may be noted that in 2016, Oman Air had stopped its flights to Sohar following citing low demand. After thoroughly studying the situation pertaining to Sohar Airport operations, Oman Air decided to temporarily suspend the flights as they did not achieve the targeted results since inauguration in November 2014.


MOTC responded by saying said that there are plans for investments in cargo operations, aircraft maintenance and an aviation academy. It added that there have been talks with airlines on receiving international aircraft. These efforts are bearing fruits and it is too early to question the feasibility of this project.


The airport is being built within the proximity of the major commercial, industrial and economic centres of Sohar including the Port of Sohar Special Economic Zone.


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