A National Aviation Strategy, currently nearing completion, will help drive the growth of the tourism and logistics sectors in the Sultanate, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, revealed here on Monday. Delivering the keynote address at the Oman Ports Conference, which was held at the Grand Millennium Hotel, Dr Al Futaisi also announced the establishment of a new holding company that groups the government’s interests in air transportation, airport management, and air traffic control services.
The Oman Aviation Group seeks to bring under one umbrella national carrier Oman Air, Oman Airports Management Company (which operates the Sultanate’s international and domestic airports), and Air Traffic Control. It complements the stated-owned logistics holding company – Oman Global Logistics Group (ASYAD) – which groups the government’s interest in ports, free zones, land and sea transportation companies, and logistics and support services entities. “The National Aviation Strategy 2040, which is in the final stages of drafting, will serve as an enabler of the growth of the tourism and logistics sectors,” said Dr Al Futaisi.
“As part of this strategy, we want our national carrier Oman Air to be a destination airline to promote Oman as a tourism destination. We want our airports anchoring airport cities with free zones. And we want the sector to offer special aviation services as well.” The strategy, which is due to be presented to the Council of Ministers for its consideration and approval, envisions a “huge restructuring” of the sector. The goal is to come up with “a superior product offering and a sound financial structure in support of Oman Inc,” the minister noted.
Besides focusing on domestic tourism in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), national carrier Oman Air will also support the growth of airfreight in line with the Sultanate’s logistics ambitions. Airports are proposed to be developed into airport cities that serve as destinations for international travellers. Also envisioned within the airport environment are free zones and air cargo handling services. Long-term objectives set out in the National Aviation Strategy include a goal to position Oman’s aviation sector as the “leading” industry in the Middle East by 2040. It foresees a place for Oman among the world’s Best 40 destinations in terms of standards of air traffic.
Conrad Prabhu
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