Muscat: Oman Air will be flying to 75 destinations by 2020, the national carrier of Oman announced on Wednesday.
Replying to a question by the Times of Oman, Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO of Oman Air, said that they would be flying to 75 destinations in Asia, Africa and Europe by 2020. "By that time we will have 70 aircraft to fly to these destinations," he said
Replying to a question by the Times of Oman, Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO of Oman Air, said that they would be flying to 75 destinations in Asia, Africa and Europe by 2020. "By that time we will have 70 aircraft to fly to these destinations," he said
Currently, Oman Air is flying to 47 destinations worldwide.
Regarding the destinations, he said that they are looking at launching China flights by winter. "We are also looking at flying double daily to London by winter," he said.
He also said that the existing rights between India and Oman will get over with the launch of Goa flights. "But we want fly to more places in India and we want these rights to be increased," he said, on the sidelines of the First International Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) Conference 'The HIVE' on Wednesday at the Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa today.
For this, the airline is looking at newly built airports, which provide more facilities. "We are looking at places like Kolkata in the Eastern part of India," he said.
He also said their team is working hard to reduce the losses and added, "By 2017 we should be able to break even."
Last year, the airline made a loss of OMR100 million, and he wants to bring that down to OMR60 million this year.
He also hopes to add 70 per cent of Omanis to the workforce in the next few years. "Currently we have staff strength of 6,200 and we are looking to make that 7,000 by the year end as per our expansion plans," he said.
Oman Air has 59 per cent Omanis on board right now.
Gregorowitsch, however, ruled out the possibility of a low cost airline being launched as he had doubts over the sustainability of such a venture. "It will be tough to run a low cost airline as the operating costs will be similar to that of a full-fledged airline," he said.
With the government moving towards issuing a second licence for a second airline in the Sultanate, the CEO of Oman Air said that the airline will welcome any competition and may even participate in the process.
Gregorowitsch said that they are already facing serious competition as far as outbound passengers from Muscat are concerned.
"Around 60 per cent of the market share from Oman is with our competitors. We are operating in a competitive environment even at the moment," he said.
Regarding the destinations, he said that they are looking at launching China flights by winter. "We are also looking at flying double daily to London by winter," he said.
He also said that the existing rights between India and Oman will get over with the launch of Goa flights. "But we want fly to more places in India and we want these rights to be increased," he said, on the sidelines of the First International Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) Conference 'The HIVE' on Wednesday at the Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa today.
For this, the airline is looking at newly built airports, which provide more facilities. "We are looking at places like Kolkata in the Eastern part of India," he said.
He also said their team is working hard to reduce the losses and added, "By 2017 we should be able to break even."
Last year, the airline made a loss of OMR100 million, and he wants to bring that down to OMR60 million this year.
He also hopes to add 70 per cent of Omanis to the workforce in the next few years. "Currently we have staff strength of 6,200 and we are looking to make that 7,000 by the year end as per our expansion plans," he said.
Oman Air has 59 per cent Omanis on board right now.
Gregorowitsch, however, ruled out the possibility of a low cost airline being launched as he had doubts over the sustainability of such a venture. "It will be tough to run a low cost airline as the operating costs will be similar to that of a full-fledged airline," he said.
With the government moving towards issuing a second licence for a second airline in the Sultanate, the CEO of Oman Air said that the airline will welcome any competition and may even participate in the process.
Gregorowitsch said that they are already facing serious competition as far as outbound passengers from Muscat are concerned.
"Around 60 per cent of the market share from Oman is with our competitors. We are operating in a competitive environment even at the moment," he said.
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