Oman Air recently signed a major sponsorship deal with British Football club Chelsea, for three years. The deal with apparently include a specially-designed co-branded livery, which will be unveiled as part of Oman’s fleet later this year, as well as other promotional content campaigns.
Oman Air’s CEO, at that time, Abdulaziz Al Raisi said following the Chelsea deal. “Together, we hope to expand Chelsea Football Club’s following across the world, whilst showcasing the routes that we fly and the excellence of our service.”
“We also look forward to using our partnership to highlight the rich culture of Oman to the club’s existing extensive fanbase,” he added.
Hot on the heels of this sponsorship deal a “Transformation office” has been set up for Oman Air, according to Engineer Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Air.
As part of a restructuring plan to make the company curb the debts and become a profit making airlines in “four to five years” the minister also confirmed the appointment of new Oman Air Acting CEO, Nasser al Salmi, the airline’s former COO.
Al Maawali admitted that the debts of Oman Air are significant and there is immediate attempts to reduce it through “right sizing” of the airline.
Oman Air has expanded in recent years along with Muscat International Airport.
Its most numerous routes are into Asia with 32 flying there – including 11 into India. These may be ideal for residents of Oman – travelling on holiday or to non-Omanis who are travelling to their home country. Inter Gulf flights are to 13 destinations, including 4 domestic destinations – which of course includes Muscat, Oman Air’s hub.
For such a key potential source of inbound tourists – there are only 5 European destinations – including London, Chelsea’s home city – perhaps there were no slots to fly into more European destinations.
Will Oman Air continue to focus on Asia – or will the turnaround plan, intended to achieve results within 5 years, set its sights elsewhere.
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