
BLOOMBERG/CHRISTOPHER PIKE
Oman is considering setting up a new regional airline that could take over domestic operations from state carrier Oman Air, a request for proposal was issued this month by Oman Aviation Group for a feasibility study into operating the new airline, ‘Oman Link’.
Proposals are to be submitted by 11 November 2019. The new airline is expected to use regional jets for domestic flights and potentially later to other cities in the region where there is not enough demand to fill the larger single-aisle jets used by other airlines in Oman.
Oman Link could partner with Oman Air with both carriers connecting passengers to each other but would have its own independent management.
The Sultanate has been restructuring its aviation sector in recent years—Oman Aviation Group was formed in 2018 and includes Oman Air, Oman Airports and Oman Aviation Services.
Additionally, Oman launched a budget airline, Salam Air in 2017. The low-cost airline is owned by Omani government pension funds and the Muscat municipality.
Last week, Etihad and Sharjah-based Air Arabia joined forces to set up a low-cost carrier, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, reported Reuters.
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