Oman Air (WY, Muscat) is leaning towards a simplified fleet with a focus on widebodies, according to the carrier's chairman, Said Hamood Al Maawali. Cited by Oman's Daily Observer, he said the airline's transformation plan would continue through to 2027 and part of that plan is to focus on reducing the number of aircraft types operated, eventually whittling it down to a single type.
"Going forward, as a policy, as an airline, what is good is widebodies," he said. "We should focus more on efficient widebody aircraft, but for the time being we are rightsizing and repositioning the company." The chairman also serves as Oman's minister of transport, communications, and information technology.
Oman Air's existing fleet includes thirteen B737-8s, seven B737-800s, five B737-900ERs, two B787-8s, and seven B787-9s. It also operates a single B737-800(BCF) and recently retired four A330-200s and six A330-300s from its schedules (although several remain at Qatar Airways on wet-lease). There are also outstanding orders for five more B737-8s and nine more B787-9s.
“By 2027, Oman Air will be a healthy company and will be ready for growth,” Al Maawali said. “For now, we should focus on filling the seats and improving the yield for this period to make sure that there is good financial sustainability for the aircraft and the airlines”
He opined that net losses are trending down and the airline's improving financial performance and operating metrics are making lenders more confident. Oman Air is now in a position to borrow without relying on government or sovereign support, he added. "The banks are ready to lend to us again. We are moving in the right direction."
