features and improved efficiencies
make it a perfect addition to our fleet.
Our expanding portfolio will allow us to
offer our guests an even greater choice
of services and travel options, while
maintaining the same high standards
they have come to expect. The highly
sought-after A320neo, which was
launched in 2010 as an upgraded model
of the award-winning A320, features
beautifully designed Airspace cabins
offering greater space.It also boasts significant environmental
improvements including a 16 per cent
reduction in fuel burn, almost 50 per
cent fewer noise emissions, as well as
a 14 per cent lower cash operating cost
per seat compared with the previous
model. With the added incorporation
of the latest engine technologies and
aerodynamic improvements, the
aircraft ensures the highest standards
of comfort.The new addition is part of Salam Air’s
ambitious expansion plan, which will
double the number of A320neos in our
fleet by the end of the year, as well as
increase our network to 29. The new
aircraft that entered the service will
help the company to increase its flights
to some destinations such as Alexandriato become daily flights. The company
currently has six Airbus 320 aircraft
and our fleet will have nine such
aircraft by the end of 2019.How did the new destinations and
fleet expansion reflect in your
performance?
During the first five months of 2019,
we achieved a high return rate of 100
per cent and an occupation rate of 84
per cent, compared with 66 per cent in
the same period in 2018. The number
of passengers doubled, driven by an
increase in capacity by 40 per cent and
increase in punctual compliance to 90
per cent in May.What are the new trends in aviation
industry in Oman and the GCC
region in general? And how are you
responding to them?
There is a change in the dynamic of
the travel industry in the region which
we welcome at Salam Air. The aviation
sector has witnessed a lot of changes in
the past decade. The low-cost airlines
have significantly increased their
market shares. Oman has cashed in
on this trend by starting its own low-
cost airline. Today, we are the fastest
growing airline in the Oman airport
region and we have the fastest growingnumbers and fastest growing flights.
The emergence of low cost airlines has
given the passengers more choices,
flexibility and affordability. In addition,
attractive prices have made people
travel very often.We are bringing new aircraft, new
products and new technology in the
market and introducing a new way of
thinking as well as better passenger
experience. Recently, we have
introduced a state-of-the-art online
booking service which was built with
local expertise and local knowledge.What are you doing to promote Oman
as a destination?
We are always promoting Oman as a
tourism destination wherever we fly to.
Oman’s potential as a fantastic tourism
destination is our strong selling point.
We are not only taking Omanis to our
destinations, but are also bringing
people from there to our country.
Government’s comprehensive vision,
its heavy investment to develop tourism
and hospitality infrastructure such
as airports and hotels in the country
and the Sultanate’s growing stature
as an eco-tourism destination are all
contributing to the growth of aviation
sector in the country.Salam Air recently added the third A320neo aircraft to its growing fleet
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