RIYADH: Oman is expanding its global aviation footprint with new air routes to Asia, Europe and Africa as the sultanate accelerates plans to scale its transport, tourism and logistics sectors.
The Civil Aviation Authority, working with airport operators and national as well as international airlines, is widening international connectivity as part of a broader push to build an integrated airport network and strengthen passenger and cargo movement across the country, according to the Oman News Agency.
The expansion supports Oman’s long-term aviation strategy, which aims to raise the sector’s gross domestic product contribution from 159 million Omani rials ($413 million) in 2018 to 890 million rials by 2030, a more than sixfold increase. The strategy also targets handling 40 million passengers annually by 2030, double the levels recorded in 2019.
“The authority has focused on maximizing the benefits of Oman’s position as a regional and global logistics hub, leveraging its strategic geographic location on international air routes,” the ONA report stated.
It added: “This is achieved through the development of Omani airports as key hubs for air connectivity and the transport of goods and passengers, facilitating domestic connections and encouraging tourism between the governorates.”
