Menzies Aviation, a global airport services provider, is planning to formalise a joint venture partnership with Oman Air to offer ground handling services at all airports across the Sultanate by the first quarter of 2017, a report said.

The two sides are currently going through a due diligence process aimed at concluding a formal JV agreement between them, reported Oman Observer.

“With such a complex arrangement, there is a significant period of due diligence required by both parties. This phase of the partnership is still on-going,” Nick Digby, business support manager, Menzies Aviation plc (UAE), was quoted as saying in the report.

“Our current schedule suggests that the partnership will be formalised in the first quarter of 2017,” he told the Observer.

“Our partnership with Oman Air means that we will have a presence at all airports in the Sultanate,” he added.

“Oman Air Ground Handling already employs over 2,000 people and handles more than 50,000 aircraft turnarounds per year. The resources of both companies will form the Joint Venture, and they will continue to deliver exceptional service, which includes the full support of Menzies Aviation’s training, technology and experience,” he explained.