Oman Air (WY, Muscat) will introduce its first freighter by the end of 2023, its executives announced during a cargo workshop in Muscat this week.
“In the coming months, we look forward to introducing our first ever freighter and we will also be launching several new markets,” Oman Air CEO Abdulaziz Al Raisi said in a presentation during the two-day event, referencing “Oman’s potential as a global logistics hub.”
The type to be acquired was not divulged. Oman Air did not immediately respond to ch-aviation’s request for comment.
The state-run flag carrier’s decision to introduce freighter aircraft is in response to growing demand for air cargo services in the region, the executives said. Subsidiary Oman Air Cargo added several new destinations in 2022 as it began operating makeshift freighter services to Europe, the Far East, and India. Modifying its A330-300s by removing the seats has allowed it to raise capacity to 40 tonnes per aircraft, boosting total cargo carried during the year by 36% and revenue by 86%.
Like other airlines, Oman Air began reconfiguring its passenger aircraft as makeshift freighters in the early stages of the pandemic. Its first cargo charter was operated on April 2, 2020, to Guangzhou using A330-300 A4O-DD (msn 1063). Since then, this widebody has continued to operate regularly to Guangzhou as well as to Dubai World Central.
The airline’s announcement comes after Omani low-cost carrier SalamAir (OV, Muscat) took delivery of its first dedicated freighter in October 2022, an A321-200(PCF), becoming the first Middle Eastern carrier to operate the aircraft type.
