Oman Air says to launch Manchester flights in April 2017
Oman Air has announced that it intends to start operating daily flights from its hub in Muscat to Manchester in the north of England.
The national carrier said in a statement that the new service is scheduled to launch from April 2017.
It said that the UK is one of its key markets, adding that London Heathrow has been a flagship route with its second daily frequency “a clear indication” of the strong demand for flights.
In March, Oman Air said its losses narrowed last year and it required less financial support from the government as the airline boosted its capacity.
The fate of the carrier, which has been loss-making for years, is important to Oman’s economy as the government tries to repair state finances damaged by low oil prices while diversifying the economy into non-oil sectors such as tourism.
Oman Air’s losses narrowed 21 percent in 2015 to 86 million rials ($233 million), while its revenues expanded 14 percent to 466 million rials as it took delivery of nine new aircraft and increased its flight schedule.
The airline said it was on track to break even on an operating basis by the end of 2017.
