Oman Airports attends Routes Europe strategy Summit

The Routes Europe strategy Summit had many intuitive panel discussions; some of which addressed important air service development issues affecting commercial aviation across Europe. Discussions were brought together by top leading aviation experts; such as Juha Jarvinen CCO, Finnair and Michał Nowak, director of strategy and innovation department, LOT Polish Airlines.  

The commercial operation team booked significant face to face meetings with possible targeted airline network managers, discussing potential possibilities in adding new frequencies or implementing new routes to Oman Airports, including Muscat, Salalah, Sohar and Duqm airports. According to Kimmo Ruotsalainen, Head of Sales and Marketing, face to face meetings consisted of European South Asian markets, as well as further connecting European and Far East in the future. The Airline Marketing team’s focus here at Routes Europe is to enhance the relationship with existing airlines, and to grow relations with European carriers for new possible business. The long term goal is to connect Africa and Asia (specifically China) as well as Asia and Europe. 

Traffic growth in Muscat International Airport in March was 20% YoY reaching 812 438 passengers, cumulative growth percentage Jan-Mar 20% reaching nearly 2.5 million passengers. The Flight movements increased double digits i.e. Muscat International Airport by 10% in March and by 11% during Q1/16 representing 8 458 movements in March and 24 698 movements in Q1/16 respectively. During the first three months, Jet Airways started to operate between Delhi and Muscat, Shaheen started on a route between Islamabad and Muscat as well as new airline Regent Airways started to between Dhaka/ Chittagong and Muscat operating 4 times a week by a Boeing 737-800. 

Traffic growth in Salalah exceeded 81 000 passengers in March representing 14% growth and 255 921 passengers representing the cumulative growth of 18% since beginning of the year despite a slight decline in civil aircraft movements compared to 2015. New tour operator business “Hydrotour,” has charter flight Travel Service Slovakia (6D) that operates from Bratislava Airport (BTS) and will be operating one weekly flight each Sunday on every March, April, May, June, and September to Salalah. 

Oman is working on building non-stop routes with European carriers and partner with Oman Air to boost the Muscat hub connectivity. Oman Airports aims to have new airlines to start operating to MCT during this year and more is planned to commence in 2017. Both Oman Airports and Oman Air have a close relationship and are working together to strengthen the transfer traffic via Muscat hub.  Routes Europe in Poland opened doors for new development, and to boost new networking opportunities, making it accessible in reaching the target goal. The Airline Marketing team will also be attending World Routes in China, eager to create more opportunities in route development.