Oman Air has withdrawn unexpectedly from the fledgling Middle East airline alliance Arabesk after concluding that, given its small fleet and current high-frequency operation, it would probably not benefit from membership.
Its decision leaves Arabesk with seven initial participants as the loose Arab airline grouping prepares to appoint a governing panel to oversee its activities, at a meeting scheduled for 17-18 December.
Arabesk aims to improve the carriers’ efficiency by co-ordinating schedules, and opening the way to tighter co-operation. But Oman Air’s newly appointed acting chief executive, Ziad Al-Haremi, told Flight International at the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) conference in Yemen that membership would serve little purpose.
“When you have a fleet the size of Saudi Arabian Airlines’ one, you can always find ways to optimise,” says Al-Haremi, pointing out that Oman Air’s schedule is already closely aligned with Arabesk member Gulf Air.
“We will look at rejoining Arabesk at a later stage, if we feel the need – or to optimise the schedule of another airline. But I believe it wouldn’t be of benefit to us or to others at this stage.”
Oman Air primarily operates six Boeing 737-700/800s and, with a capital injection, is expecting to add another next year, aiming to extend the fleet to 10 aircraft by 2010.
Al-Haremi intends to switch to an all-jet operation. Oman Air’s two owned ATR 42-500s are on lease to India’s Air Deccan, while another leased pair are conducting petroleum industry work, and Al-Haremi says the turboprops will not be brought back to its mainline operation.
Muscat-based Oman Air handles long-haul services through its partnership with Gulf Air but Al-Haremi says the smaller carrier would examine long-haul services, possibly with extended-range 737s or even widebody types, should this co-operation end.
DAVID KAMINSKI-MORROW/SANA'A
Source: Flight International
