Oman Air, the sultanate's national carrier, has signed a joint venture agreement with Luxembourg-based Cargolux Airlines International to develop the Muscat airport as a logistics hub for air cargo between
India, China, Africa, Europe and the US.

Europe’s leading freight carriers and one of the top ten freight carriers in the world, Cargolux Airlines said the joint venture will create new opportunities for both companies in markets around the world.

It will enable Oman Air and Cargolux to jointly access new freighter destinations and contribute to the development of Oman’s logistics hub, it added.

The agreement will help Oman Air to further expand its cargo operation and build on the range of cargo initiatives and innovations the airline has introduced over recent years.

Furthermore, the agreement will provide Cargolux with access to the belly capacity of Oman Air’s fleet and create new opportunities for freight transportation from Oman’s modern port facilities.

"The joint venture will deliver significant benefits for the economy of the sultanate, building on Oman Air’s already considerable social and financial contribution to the nation," stated Oman Air’s CEO Paul Gregorowitsch after signing the deal with Cargolux Airlines International CEO Dirk Reich.

The signing ceremony was held onboard the carrier’s B747 Full Freighter which was located in front of Muscat International Airport’s VIP building.

Senior officials including Darwish bin Ismail bin Ali Al Balushi, Oman’s Minister for Finance and chairman of Oman Air, François Bausch, Luxembourg’s Minister for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, Paul Helminger, the chairman of Cargolux Airlines International and Dr Juma bin Ali Al-Juma, the chairman of Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) took part.

On the tie-up, Gregorowitsch, said: "This will be the first full freighter service to have been launched from Oman and it will enable us to jointly deploy significant and commercially attractive freighter capacity throughout Oman Air’s network."

"In doing so, it will provide significant support for the expansion and development of Oman Air’s cargo operation. It will also enable Cargolux to make use of Oman Air’s rapidly expanding freight capacity, as well as the outstanding cargo facilities at Oman’s airports," he noted.

"Our product advantages include the carriage of project cargo, livestock, cargo aircraft-only freight, odd size cargo, vehicles and aircraft engines. Oman Air has considera

Reich said the new joint venture will bring important benefits for Cargolux’s customers in Oman, including fast and reliable connections across Oman Air’s worldwide network.

"It will also enable us to proceed with our planned expansion of air freight services in 2015 from Oman to China, Europe, Africa and the US. Furthermore, the joint venture will give Cargolux the opportunity to utilise Oman Air’s experience of flying to 11 destinations in India, as well as to East Africa," he added.-TradeArabia News Service