|
|
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
May 17, 2005: Oman Air is to operate direct flights to Delhi and Hyderabad from June one, 2005, following approvals from the Vial Aviation Authorities. Oman Air is also planning to increase its number of seats to other destinations in the country to 5,275 per week from the present 3,700 per week.
Oman Air will operate three flights to Hyderabad a week and four flights to Delhi, and add two more flights to Kochi and Mumbai taking the number of flights to seven and 10, respectively.
India is an important destination for Oman Air and also one of its most profitable sectors. With India's growing prominence in economy and immense potential in areas like health, education, tourism and information technology, there is scope for higher passenger traffic between the country and the Gulf region, Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Abdulrahman Al Busaidy said.
Busaidy said, "we will be interested to operate to Calicut and another service to Tiruchirapalli, though the airport is yet to be declared as an international airport."
With more destinations in its kitty, Oman Air expects to book higher profits from the country in the current year, he said.
Oman Air is also looking at acquiring three Boeing 787 Dreamliners as part of its fleet expansion plans. However, the plans are not concentrate and a final decision would be taken at a later stage of time.
The government of Sultanate of Oman holds a 35 per cent stake in Oman Air and also a controlling stake in Gulf Air, making both the carriers controlled by Oman government, while the two airlines have a code-sharing agreement on several flight routes.
Oman Air is also keen to invest in airport infrastructure projects in India and has also plans to launch a dedicated freighter service between the two countries, Busaidy said.
"We will be interested in airport infrastructure projects in India. Aviation industry is booming in India and the country offered a good potential for cargo potential, thanks to huge exports of garments, fruits and vegetables to Gulf countries".
An average of 2.5 tonne of cargo was lifted per flight out of India and from Chennai, the hub of Oman Air operations in India, it was to the tune of 10 tonne per week.
Oman Air has a fleet of 10 aircraft - six Boeing 737-800s and four ATRs and enjoys a 45 per cent market share in the country. It is also planning to operate seven flights to Cairo per week during the coming period after the Gulf Air conceded its flights on the Muscat-Cairo route to it.
Oman Air transported 3.17 lakh passengers during the first four months of this year, compared to 3.02 lakh during the same period last year.
Oman Air also recorded a profit in the last fiscal, even though the industry has particularly tough due to surging oil prices.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
|
