Oman Air drops Colombo flights

Oman Air has said its intent to launch services to one new destination, adjust frequencies on 25 routes, discontinue services on four others, revamp flight times and shorten layovers.

As part of the restructuring, the airline would cease flights to Islamabad, Lahore, Chittagong, and Colombo from April, focusing on rightsizing and repositioning the company for future growth by 2027.

“Rest assured, we remain committed to keeping you flying with confidence and convenience,” the airline stated.

Key highlights of the network update include: Market demand driven strategic planning: Launching services to 1 new destination based on market demand; Streamlining operations: Adjusting frequencies on 25 routes and discontinuing service 4 to bolster financial health; Schedule optimization: Revamping flight times to elevate service quality and punctuality; Strategic seasonal scheduling: Transitioning two routes from year-round to seasonal based on market demand and 

Enhanced connectivity: Shortening layovers for seamless access to our global network and enriching the travel journey.

Minister of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Air Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, had shared significant updates on the airline’s restructuring program at a recent press conference.

He had explained that in 2023 Oman Air witnessed a 9% improvement in load factors, transporting over six million passengers across its destinations and operating more than 45,000 scheduled flights. Oman Air Cargo also experienced positive growth, with a 58% increase in capacity compared to the previous year.

Coordination efforts with SalamAir have commenced, aiming to enhance passenger numbers through Muscat International Airport and establish a fruitful codeshare relationship, he had added.

The airline’s transformation program, initiated in March 2023, resulted in strategic changes to flight destinations, facility closures, and the termination of non-essential contracts and sponsorships, including its agreement with Chelsea Football Club. Oman Air prioritizes optimising passenger experience while controlling costs and exploring opportunities to join the Oneworld Alliance.

Looking ahead to 2024, Oman Air plans to implement further changes to enhance financial and operational performance. This includes restructuring the route network and flight schedule, optimizing seat capacity, evaluating fleet options, and establishing new partnership agreements with international airlines based on quantitative analysis.