Omani start-ups Salalah Air (Salalah) and Al Sharqiya Aviation (Muscat) have secured their respective No Objection Certificates (NOC) from Oman's Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA).
The carriers will now be able to embark on their own AOC drives following which each will be able to apply for an Economic Operating License (EOL).
Both firms will focus on domestic scheduled and charter passenger flights using a variety of turboprop equipment.
For its part, Salalah Air is an entirely Omani-owned company chaired by Ali Masoud Al Khashoub. CEO Sam Owen says it will provide scheduled and charter flights throughout the country with plans to establish Oman’s first Flying Club and Adventure Sports Centre at its main hub in Salalah. Its first flight - Salalah-Sohar - is expected in November this year.
A charter service is also eventually expected to link Salalah with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) capital cities, and East Africa in co-operation with Spice Island Air (Zanzibar), a Tanzanian start-up which Owen also heads.
“We will bring passengers to the Muscat and Salalah international airports and provide a connecting service for Oman Air (WY, Muscat) and SalamAir (OV, Muscat), to and from tourist destinations, including by a plane,” Owen was quoted by the Times of Oman.
Salalah Air is looking at a fleet of twenty-two aircraft by 2021 including GA8s, Do228s, and PC-12s with bases at Salalah, Sohar, and Duqm.
For its part Al Sharqiya Aviation is a subsidiary of Omani conglomerate, MB Holding Co., whose key interests lie in the petroleum, mining, and engineering sectors. No exact plans for the carrier have yet been disclosed but it is believed it will cater primarily to the logistical needs of its parent.
