Oman Air (WY, Muscat) and SalamAir (OV, Muscat) have announced a new strategic partnership for closer network alignment to boost passenger growth in the Sultanate as per Oman's Vision 2040 economic development plan.
The agreement augments their existing codeshare agreement signed in 2020.
“This is a landmark moment for aviation in Oman and signals the start of closer alignment between Oman Air and SalamAir at a time when the sector is starting to show signs of recovery,” Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Abdulaziz Al Raisi said in a statement. “Offering passengers more convenience and connectivity is something both airlines do well, so cooperating on strategic routes makes perfect sense for us.”
He added: “The significance of this cooperation is further strengthened within the context of Oman’s Vision 2040 Strategy, where both airlines play a crucial role as enablers of the strategy’s tourism pillars through enhanced travel options into Oman.”
Oman Vision 2040 is a wide-ranging blueprint for economic and social development over the next two decades, which includes increasing non-oil revenues, setting financial and investment incentives for the governorates to stimulate trade and diversification, amongst others.
"We have been working closely with Oman Air to see this project come into fruition. Our business model continues to be focused on expanding our network while allowing our passengers to enjoy reliability, convenience, and a vast choice in travel while maintaining low fares,” SalamAir Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Ahmed said in a separate statement.
“This corporation furthers our goals while strengthening our relationship with Oman Air and aiding the acceleration of air travel growth in the Sultanate as per Oman's Vision 2040. I am confident that the partnership will benefit passengers by offering them more reasons to travel by great choices of destinations. Finally, we will look forward to continuing our cooperation with Oman Air in a way that will strengthen the tourism and travel sector in Oman.”
As the national carrier of the Sultanate, Oman Air operates domestic and international passenger services, plus regional air taxi and charter flights using a mixed fleet of 53 aircraft. These include ten B737-8s with seven more MAX on order; and seven B787-9s with nine to be delivered. The rest of the Boeing fleet comprises fifteen B737-800s, five B737-900ERs, and two B787-8s, the ch-aviation fleets module shows. Its Airbus fleet includes four A330-200s and six A330-300s. It also operates four E175LRs.
Low-cost SalamAir is owned by the Muscat National Development and Investment Company (ASAAS), a partnership between the State General Reserve Fund, Muscat Municipality, and various pension funds. It operates a leased all-Airbus fleet of six A320-200Ns and two A321-200NXs, according to ch-aviation fleets data.
