Sultanate’s fastest-growing value-for-money airline, SalamAir has signed a contract with Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO) to operate flights to airports in the oil concession areas of Fahud, Marmul and Qarn Alam.

As per the agreement, over 14 rotations consisting of 40 sectors will be operated by SalamAir to PDO fields in Fahud, Marmul and Qarn Alam. SalamAir will assign the newly acquired Airbus A320 Neo for the operations in these routes. The agreements were signed by PDO Technical Director Sami Baqi Al Lawati and Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO, SalamAir at the PDO Headquaters.

The agreement will serve to boost existing in-country value initiatives of PDO and SalamAir in the area of job creation as well benefit a wider range of stakeholders who will use the flight services. This economy boosting partnership between SalamAir and PDO will ensure more jobs for Omanis and is expected to positively impact on the country’s GDP.

Sami Baqi Al Lawati , Technical Director at Petroleum Development Oman, said, “We value this collaboration with SalamAir which we believe will play an active role in supporting and growing the Oman aviation sector.

To date, millions of passengers have already enjoyed the unique experience of flying on board SalamAir flights to different destinations. We are delighted to be able to sign this agreement, which will increase the number of seats available for flights to Fahud, Marmul and Qarn Alam.

We are committed supporters of local companies, who can compete locally, regionally, and internationally. In addition, to host initiatives that will benefit communities and boost sustainable development across Oman. The agreement will also support and create jobs for Omanis and help strengthen the local economy. PDO is proud to play a role in fostering development and we will continue to contribute towards the sustainable growth of the Sultanate’s economy.”

With launching of these services, SalamAir now flies to seven local airports including Muscat, Salalah, Suhar, Mukhaizna, Fahud, Marmul, Qarn Alam and looks forward to extending its services to Duqm, Masirah and Khasab.

Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir said, “We recognise PDO has placed its trust and confidence in SalamAir by awarding this contract to operate flights to Fahud, Marmul and Qarn Alam airports. We are committed to offering the highest service and safety standards every day, while delivering an efficient and best-in-class flight services to help PDO achieve their business and national objectives. We are delighted to expand our domestic services to facilitate better connectivity in Oman. We believe that support from Omani governmental and private entities will help SalamAir to grow further and provide unique services which will contribute to GDP growth and facilitate domestic travel.”

He added, “The contract with PDO demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Sultanate’s policy of Omanisation. Previously Salam Air has employed Omani graduates in aviation roles who were trained under PDO’s National Objectives Programme launched to create employment and training opportunities for job seekers. We are also delighted that PDO’s National Objectives Programme is helping us fulfil our strategy. Their best-in-class training facilities has enabled staff especially cabin crew immensely. We will further enhance our training department to give more opportunities to young Omani graduates to enter this existing field and become future leaders.”

He further said, “We will continue to pursue our commitment to redefine air travel in the region and position Oman as an international travel hub. With Muscat International Airport’s terminal capacity raised to receive up to 20 million passengers per year and the facility being equipped with the latest technology to accommodate all kinds of aircraft, we are highly optimistic. Our goal is to have a fleet size of 20-aircraft. The airline has carried over 1.5 million passengers in 2019 alone. Going forward we will focus on inbound tourism and market Oman as an exciting destination with new attractive packages.”

SalamAir currently operates three Airbus A320 aircraft and five Airbus A320Neo aircraft making it the first Omani carrier to utilise the highly rated single aisle aircraft. SalamAir flies to Domestic destinations including: Muscat, Salalah and Suhar and International destinations to Abu Dubai, Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Tehran, Shiraz, Istanbul, Alexandria, Khartoum, Multan, Sialkot, Karachi, Dhaka, Chattogram, Kathmandu, Colombo and Phuket. Additional passenger services to compliment the customer experience on the home-grown airline include options for extra luggage, seat and meal selection.

Customers can book their tickets through the airline’s official website on www.salamair.com.