Oman Air CEO outlines fleet, network and partnership plans

Oman Air CEO Paul Gregorowitsch outlined (27-Sep-2016) the airline's "ambitious and dynamic" fleet and network expansion programme, as follows:

• Fleet: The airline expects to receive at least two more Boeing 737 aircraft by the end of 2016 and four 787s over the next two years. The carrier currently operates 45 aircraft, up from 35 in Jan-2015, comprising four A330-200s, six A330-300s, one 737-700, 21 737-800s, five 737-900ERs, four 787s and four Embraer 175s;
• Network: The airline plans to commence Guangzhou service on 09-Dec-2016 and Manchester service in summer 2017. Recently added destinations include Dhaka, Goa, Jakarta, Manila, Mashhad and Singapore and the carrier also increased frequency on routes including Frankfurt, London, Paris, Zurich and all India destinations;
• Partnerships and alliances: The airline has no plans to join a global alliance, but will develop "tactical partnerships" and work closely with oneworld; Star Alliance members Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines; and SkyTeam members Kenya Airways and KLM. Current codeshare partners include Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, KLM, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines. The carrier is also committed to partnerships with Cargolux, SATS and Menzies Aviation.

Mr Gregorowitsch said, "Oman Air has achieved important progress over the last two years and I am optimistic about the company's future." [more - original PR]