Aviation Outlook: Oman Air looking for "exclusive" alliances

Oman Air is studying options for strategic and exclusive alliances with single airlines in Europe, Africa and the Americas.

Speaking at the opening session of the Aviation Outlook conference in Dubai this morning, Phillipe Georgiou, the Muscat-based airline’s chief officer of corporate affairs said the airline has a vision that one day there would be an organisation like the top 200 luxury hotels of the world, for a luxury alliance of state-of-the-art airlines.

“We already have effective codeshare agreements with Emirates and Malaysian but we are looking for one alliance in each of Africa, Europe and the Americas,” he said.

“However, this makes sense only if the criteria are in line with our airline vision on positioning and avoiding mismatch. Exclusivity is what we seek.”

Georgiou said Oman Air’s approach to distinctiveness and innovation was working.

“We have a five year plan towards profitability,” he said. “We are in the second year and we are on target.”

The airline has positioned itself to align with the Oman government’s drive to attract a different breed of tourists. “We see Muscat as a destination rather than a hub,” he said. “Oman is not a place for backpackers who want to sit on a beach and drink coke. Oman is for adventurers , explorers and discoverers. Its why we con’t sponsor English football teams..”

Georgiou said the introduction of the world’s first all-aircraft connectivity a year ago and helped shape the recognition of the aircraft.

“We have won a number of awards and recognition that we are different. We are small enough to make a difference and smart enough to do it well.

“We have done well so far, but the best is yet to come,” he said.