Contributor - Middle East

Peter Shaw-Smith

Oman’s Transport Ministry seeks to spur a sixfold increase in aviation’s contribution to GDP in the next decade, aiming to boost the figure&nbsp;from OMR159 million ($61 million) in 2018 to OMR890 in 2030, as forecasts also show a planned doubling of passengers using Oman’s airports, to 40 million a year, and air cargo quadrupling to 730 million tons, as announced in Oman’s new "National Aviation Strategy 2030."

 


“The National Aviation Strategy will revolutionize our sector in Oman by bringing forward new projects at every point in the aviation lifecycle,” Oman Aviation Group CEO Mustafa Al Hinai told AIN. Initiatives include restructuring Oman Air to become a "destination business model airline," creating&nbsp;a master plan for Muscat Airport City meant to promote investment, job creation, and support SMEs, and establishing&nbsp;the so-called National Travel Operator, which would offer a tool&nbsp;to sell local travel services to international markets.&nbsp;

 


Oman expects to expand&nbsp;its passenger and cargo markets at a faster pace than in the wider global aviation sector. The Middle East and its neighboring regions&nbsp;(China, India, and Africa) now stand&nbsp;among the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, the document said.

 


“[Gulf Cooperation Council] air traffic is expected to continue to grow with a projected CAGR of 5 to 6 percent, placing it among the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, leading up to 2037. To support this rapid and sustained growth, the Middle East must ensure that its infrastructure, human capital, and services are capable of meeting increased demand,” said the report.

 


The report noted that air cargo growth over the next two decades in the Middle East would exceed that of&nbsp;any other part of the world;&nbsp;as measured by freight-tonne kilometers bound for the region, projections show an annual growth rate of&nbsp;5.9 percent, compared with 5.5 percent in Asia-Pacific, based on Airbus’s 2017-2037 Global Market Forecast.

 


It also noted the GCC's&nbsp;ideal&nbsp;location for capturing freight&nbsp;flows from Western countries and the Asia-Pacific region. Asia-related volumes represent some 50 percent of global air trade, while Europe represents the Middle East’s biggest air trade partner with 32 percent of total tonnes traded.

 


Challenges facing the region include tightened demand through a fall in oil prices&nbsp;and currency depreciation against the U.S. dollar in key markets; intensifying competition involving potential price wars with U.S. and EU carriers, as well as pricing pressure from emerging LCCs; political uncertainty with militant attacks in several countries and travel bans in other countries; and travel restrictions, including a recent U.S. and UK electronics ban, and increased U.S. security measures for Muslim nations.

 


The government plays a major role&nbsp;in Oman’s aviation sector. In addition to the Public Authority for Civil Aviation, Oman Airports, Oman Air and LCC Salam Air, and Oman Aviation Hospitality all contribute to the sector. Oman Aviation Group, established in 2018, will take planning responsibility for overall sector development.

 


Oman Air’s fleet consists of 55 aircraft (three Boeing 787-8, seven 787-9 Dreamliners, six Airbus 330-300s, four Airbus 330-200s, five Boeing 737-900s, 21 Boeing 737-800, four Embraer 175s, and five Boeing 737 Maxes&nbsp;currently grounded due to a worldwide airworthiness directive).

 


“[W]herever considered appropriate, private sector involvement may be enabled if this would further support the Omani aviation sector’s development by increasing its competitiveness while creating job opportunities, as well as know-how and capabilities for the Omani workforce and businesses,” according to the report.

 


“The targets we’ve set are of course ambitious, [b]ut the region is well placed for logistics growth,” Al Hinai concluded. “And with IATA predicting there will be 500 million passengers flying to, from, or within the Middle East by 2037, the opportunity for Oman as a standout destination is clear.”

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Oman Launches 'National Aviation Strategy 2030'

OAG planning sixfold increase in aviation's contribution to GDP by end of decade

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Howard Hardee

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Airlines

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

ATR Chases New Regional Markets for Twin Turboprops

Iran war and wider geopolitical pressure stall buying decisions

Embraer Racks Up E-Jet Orders at Farnborough

30 firm orders led by Abra

Gulf Air May Buy JetZero’s Blended-wing-body Z4

Japan Airlines also expresses interest at Farnborough Airshow

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN