Oman Air Revs Up Its Cargo Operations
Carrier to Announce at Next Months TransOman New Roster Details
Sep 17, 2009
Oman Air is to use its new expanded fleet to enter the long haul cargo market moving away from its current regional approach.
News Destinations to Be Announced at TransOman
Beginning next month, the Muscat-based carrier will start taking delivery of a number of new planes which will help it service an extended slate of destinations. It has said it will launch its new range at the TransOman Expo and conference due to take place in the Omani capital, Muscat, between October 13 and 15.
Later this month it will take delivery of an A330-300, it has two of the same type but the-200 series already in service and these will also be joined by four more A330s by the end of this year and a further three throughout 2010. Currently it already has a number of B737 series planes which have helped it cover its domestic and Asian subcontinent routes.
“The introduction of our A330 routes have given us an excellent opportunity to sell beyond Muscat and become a network transshipment carrier in our own right,” said Mohammed Sherief, General Manager Cargo for the carrier in an interview with Suite101.com.
Deal with America's Continental Airlines
This. he went on to point out, followed on from a deal with an American major which would see it access the US market.
“We have successfully opened to US destinations recently with our interline partner Continental Airlines. Oman Air Cargo can now sell all US destinations, which is a leap forward in our network development,” said Sherief.
The new widebodies will also allow Oman to reach deeper, but not as deep as some, into the other parts of the cargo world, allowing it to serve both Asia and Europe. Its goal though is not to be the biggest but the best at what it can do. “We believe in slow and strategic growth” said Sherief.
This is very much in evidence when asked about plans for next year, something currently being researched. “Our priority is to increase the frequency across the network,” said Sherief.
No Problems with Infrastructure Development
Like so much else though these goals are not without problems, although given the government of Oman’s plans for development infrastructure is not one of them.
Muscat International Airport is to be developed and Salalah the country’s second city will not only have a new airport and cargo terminal but regional airports at Al Duqm, Sohar, Ras al Hadd and Adam are all to have cargo and other facilities.
“The biggest challenge is to establish ourselves and win customer confidence so the customer stays with us,” acknowledged Sherief. But therein perhaps lies the opportunity that Oman air is taking aim at.
“Because we are a niche player we can maybe offer a personalized service that helps the customer stay with us,” said Sherief. In practice this means attention to the work that is underway at the moment getting the right business partners at the point of departure and implementing new general cargo systems.
