Continued fleet and network expansion together with a renewed focus on on-board services and developments will be a priority for Oman Air in 2017; ensuring the airline of the Sultanate of Oman continues to drive up revenues, increases its growing contribution to the national economy and delivers against its ten year development plan.

This message will be reiterated at Oman Air’s major global conference to be held in Muscat earlier.

Even in the context of increasing global volatility, economic downturn and drastically reduced government support from over OMR 100 million to just OMR 20 million in 2016, Oman Air increased its contribution to Oman’s GDP by six per cent last year to OMR 415 million.

This is projected to grow further to a staggering OMR 900 million in 2017; creating employment opportunities to Omani nationals, bringing tourists to the Sultanate, building global connections and last but not the least, supporting small and medium enterprises.

This positive contribution to Oman’s economy can only be achieved by continuing to generate demand for Oman Air’s expanding network, fleet and services.

Continuing to differentiate will be a key focus for the coming year to ensure the airline maintains the positive revenue trajectory achieved over the last two years.

Increasing global competition and pressure from other carriers makes it imperative that Oman Air continues to stand out in an increasingly crowded market place.

The airline has continued to prove its worth on the international stage in 2016 with a raft of industry awards to add to its growing collection.

Network developments are continuing apace in 2017 with the revised flight agreement with the Government of India resulting in increased frequencies to five of Oman Air’s 11 Indian destinations and news of a new four times weekly flight from Muscat to Nairobi, Kenya to be launched at the end of March this year.

Also a new daily flight to Manchester, UK starting from May 2017 and the increase of services to Pakistan with the launch of a new Muscat to Peshwar flight later in the year.