Muscat: for the first time, Oman’s first low-cost carrier is announced in a step to develop the aviation sector.
Dr Mohammad Al Za’abi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), said that the authority had evaluated the bids to get a licence to operate low-cost commercial flights.
It announced that Muscat National Development and Investment S.A.O.C (Asas) received the highest rating and thus was declared winner of the licence to operate low-cost commercial flights.
The PACA Chairman said that he hopes the preferred company will complete the necessary requirements and procedures soon and start actual operation in 2017.
“By the end of 2015, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation published the Regulations for the different air transport activities licences in the Sultanate, as well as the passengers’ rights protection systems. These regulations and systems are available on PACA website,” he added.
Al Za’abi further said that the new commercial carrier will fuel the economic growth due to the high traffic demands, which is expected to grow by 40 per cent by 2019.
Asas was established in 2014, with a capital of 100 million riyal, with the contribution of the State’s Reserve Fund, Social Insurance Authority, Muscat Municipality and other investors.
