Gulf Air and Oman Air announce they have entered into a comprehensive marketing relationship (code share), combining the carriers’ complementary capabilities to offer more competitive and convenient air travel services in the Gulf, East Africa and to a number of other destinations around the world. This relationship is a key element of Gulf Air’s corporate transformation programme and further strengthens the long and fruitful relationship between the two airlines.Ê
The agreement was signed in Muscat today (21st March 2004) by Gulf Air’s President and Chief Executive, James Hogan, and Oman Air’s Abdulrahman AlBusaidi, Chief Executive Officer.

While both airlines remain independent and continue to compete aggressively, this marketing relationship offers benefits for customers of both airlines. They include network expansion through reciprocal code share service—the ability to sell tickets on each others’ flights - more convenient schedules and excellent connections, frequent flyer programmes, airport lounge access and systems development to support a comfortable and convenient travel experience for both airlines’ customers.

With immediate effect, the expanded code-share cooperation will include flights to be operated by Oman Air from Muscat to Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar (formerly operated by Gulf Traveller) and Mombassa.Ê Finally effective summer this year, Gulf Air operated flights which will include the new direct, non-stop service to London, Bangkok, Dhaka, Jeddah and Riyadh will also be subject to the above cooperative arrangements.

“This agreement is entirely in keeping with our network strategy,” said James Hogan. “Working with our partners we can extend the scope and reach of our network, to achieve a win-win situation. Some of the changes have already been implemented and I am delighted to report that there has been a virtually seamless transition with minimal passenger disruption.”

Hogan added that Gulf Air continues to examine ways in which it can use its fleet and resources in the most effective way.

“At all times we want to ensure that we are best serving our customers and meeting their needs while maintaining our operation on a commercial basis,” he said.

While Gulf Air will clearly benefit from Oman Air’s distribution network into East Africa in particular, the code-share means that the Oman Air network has been extended to offer customers more destinations and greater choice.

AI Busaidy stated that such an alliance will create new synergies for both partners and will result in improved utilization of resources. Moreover, it will increase the effectiveness of Seeb airport as a regional hub. “It is a natural step for the two national airlines of Oman to combine their strength in an alliance”.
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