MUSCAT, May 14 - In a major step that will reduce the time of flights, the aviation authorities in Oman and Saudi Arabia have decided to open up the airspace of the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali). The new decision is expected to cut considerable amount of travel time and fuel costs, especially on flights from Oman to Saudi Arabia and other GCC and Arab countries. Flights over the Empty Quarter were generally disallowed over the limitations to monitor the movements of an aircraft over a wide desert stretch.
In a statement on Monday, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) said, “As part of the efforts to increase the absorption capacity of the Omani airspace, it will open new air routes to the West over the Empty Quarter in collaboration with the Saudi airspace.” PACA added, “These routes will reduce the duration of incoming flights to Oman’s airports, save expenses and also help include more air services from the country.” According to a senior analyst in the Arab civil aviation sector, airspace over Oman is among the busiest in the world and opening of the Empty Quarter stretch is very significant. The Middle East’s aviation market is forecast to grow by five per cent by 2036.
Vinod Nair
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