The Oman Civil Aviation Authority (OCAA) has given its initial approval to Musandam Airlines (Muscat) and Consolidated Energy to complete all the procedures needed to establish and operate amphibious aircraft.
The announcement comes after the regulator had, in April this year, called for applications for a class B operator's licence (i.e. aircraft with a capacity of 19 seats or less, or with a maximum take-off weight of less than 10 tonnes) for the establishment and operation of amphibious aircraft.
Both the start-ups must now proceed with and secure an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the OCAA within 12 months.
Neither of the start-ups has yet revealed their operational launch plans. However, Consolidated Energy is understood to be a subsidiary of Synergy Petroleum which is itself a member of the Al Taher Group.
Despite its lengthy coastline, Oman currently has no amphibious operators.
