Muscat National Development & Investment Company (Asaas) said it has signed an agreement with flag carrier Oman Air for the development and construction of a crew reporting building at Muscat International Airport.

Serving the burgeoning requirements of cabin crews and Oman Air Operations Team, the new building will act as a hub to all airline crew members and also eliminate their need to access the Departure Terminal at the airport, according to Asaas.

The new RO7.6-million ($19.7 million) facility will be fully funded by Asaas and built on 25,000 sq m of land allocated by Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC), it stated.

The project is scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2018 along with the main airport terminal, said the statement.

Asaas’ construction management arm Kayan will start work on the project in the coming weeks, and once ready, will hand over the building to Oman Air for operation on a 25-year lease, it added.

Speaking at the signing, Asaas CEO Khalid Al Yahmadi said: "With the socio-economic interests of the country at heart, Asaas has assembled a portfolio of development projects across various fast-moving sectors."

"In this regard, we have undertaken the crew reporting building project as part of our broader efforts to support Travel and Tourism along the value chain," remarked Al Yahmadi.

"Providing Oman Air with a much-needed facility as it caters to the increasing demand for air travel in the region, this Asaas investment will allow the airline to pursue further opportunities for growth," he added.

Oman Air CEO Paul Gregorowitsch said the sultanate aims to attract 12 million visitors annually by 2020, making a significant contribution to GDP and the creation of employment.

"The new Crew Reporting Building will enable us to play our part in helping Oman reach its tourism development goals as we open up new routes and realize our own ambitious plans for expansion," he added.

Lauding the project, OAMC chief executive Sheikh Aimen Al Hosni said: "This long-term investment into infrastructure will enhance Oman’s travel and tourism industry as we approach the opening of the new Muscat International Airport, a nationally important milestone."

Built in accordance to the highest standards, the new facility will include briefing rooms for Oman Air Crew as well as offices for the Royal Oman Police and Internal Security Services for immigration security.

The building will also host several Oman Air operational offices as well as a duty free, coffee shops, rest areas and currency exchange facilities, he added.-TradeArabia News Service