Oman Air, the national airline of the Sultanate, has posted a record growth of 28 per cent in net passenger revenue in the first five months of the year, as compared to a full-year increase of 28 per cent in 2011.

Passenger numbers grew by 19 per cent, compared to a full-year increase of 16 per cent in 2011, while cargo revenue increased by 47 per cent, compared to a full-year increase of 28 per cent last year.

Cargo tonnage saw an increase of 33 per cent, as against a full-year increase of13 per cent in 2011.

“I am very pleased to say that Oman Air has generated greater revenues, carried more passengers and transported more cargo between January and May 2012 than at any equivalent time in the airline’s history,” said Wayne Pearce, Oman Air’s chief executive officer.

“These excellent figures build further on the year-on–year increases we have achieved over the last two years and confirm Oman Air’s continued ascent as a world-class international airline.

“Our staff, in every department and throughout our 41-destination network, have worked extremely hard to improve efficiency and to raise awareness amongst customers both of Oman Air as the carrier of choice and of Oman as the ideal destination for business and leisure travellers. I would like to thank each of them for their commitment and I look forward to working together to deliver even greater success over the coming months and years,” he added.

The scene for continued growth has already been set with the announcement of a new service, from September 1, between Muscat and Tehran and the anticipated delivery of two new Embraer E175 regional jets in the third and fourth quarter of this year, Pearce said.

In addition, six new Boeing 737s are on order, with two being delivered in 2014 and four in 2015. Six new Boeing 787 Dreamliners will also be delivered from 2015.

Oman Air’s success has not, however, relied solely on expansion. The airline’s commitment to quality in every aspect of its operations and genuine value for passengers has resulted in significant customer loyalty, a statement said.

Competitive pricing and regular special offers, both online and in partnership with travel industry partners, have attracted many new customers, it added. – TradeArabia News Service