Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
Oman Air had started Indian operations in 1993, now 23 years later the airline flies to 11 destinations in India. “Our focus is on increasing on the number of frequencies to these destinations. Recently we were allowed to increase the number of seats (weekly). Today we fly double dailies to a number of cities in India – six destinations out of 11 have double dailies. Our first intent will be to go triple dailies at the existing destinations,” said Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO, Oman Air, adding that the load factor is 90 per cent on the India route.
By 2020 Oman Air will fly to 75 destinations worldwide and have 70 aircraft, out of which, 45 will be narrow bodied and 25 wide bodied. Oman Air also looks at making Muscat a hub. “Every year we have been introducing new destinations and increasing frequencies,” stated Gregorowitsch. He also questioned why Dubai had four times the entitlement in India market. “We have grown despite fierce competition from our neighbours. If new opportunities arise we will fly to new airports in India. We would welcome open skies in India.”
Reminding that there are 700,000 Indian nationals living and working in Oman and as many as 2,900 Indian entrepreneurs support the economy, Gregorowitsch informed, “In Oman Air, 25 per cent of our staff are Indian nationals working in different functions. Oman Air will benefit from more open sky regime in India.”
Lauding the role taken by budget carriers in India, he said, “It is impacting airlines like Oman Air as more and more young people are opting to fly and tourism is growing. We are promoting destinations like Goa through Oman Air Holidays.”
Regarding the recent raise in FDI cap in the airline sector, Gregorowitsch stated, “We do not exclude financial participation in Indian airline industry – it is an open issue for us. If we see that opportunities arise with sustainable ROI, we will consider it. But we will not put a blank cheque on a table to invest. Investment is not limited to airline only, but also options like large MRO.”
The airline will also stop taking aid from its government by 2018. He remarked, “Our vision of Oman Air is to improve our services every year; we have won many awards over the years. Our objective is clear – be a safe airline, an airline of first choice, to make money, cater for our goals and contribute to the Sultanate of Oman, ‘where beauty has an address’.” The airline will not fly to Australia or the US as these destinations require different kinds of aircraft. “It is not our focus to match the network of other GCC countries,” remarked Gregorowitsch.
Travel agents contribute more than 50 per cent to Oman Air. The airline has strong engagements with the travel agent community in India.