Dentons advises on establishment of Oman aviation academy

International legal firm Dentons has advised the Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD) on the establishment of the Oman Aviation Academy (OAA), the first professional aviation training organisation in Oman.

With construction of the OAA training facility to commence in late 2017, OAA will deliver training in partnership with Airbus Helicopters and the CAE-Oxford Aviation Academy to help cadets secure their Air Transport Pilots Licence or Multicrew Pilots Licence, thus qualifying them to be able to work for both local and international airlines.

The establishment of OAA was facilitated by the signing of a shareholder agreement, on which Dentons advised, between the OAPFD, Oman National Investments Development Company (TANMIA), Al-Hosn Investment Company, AIRBUS Helicopters and the Ministry of Defence Pension Fund. Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the OAPFD, expressed how the OAA partnership is the first of its kind in the Sultanate.

The firm additionally advised on the training service agreement entered into between OAA and Oman Air as well as OAA’s service level agreement with CAE Oxford Aviation Academy for the provision of operating services.

Dentons’ Oman Co-Managing partner Nick Simpson said, “We are pleased to continue working with OAPFD on innovative projects which will help to provide a sustainable economy in the Sultanate. The first half of 2017 has been an active few months for the team, having closed a number of deals which are helping Oman continue towards its goal of achieving a diversified economy.”

Nick Simpson was assisted on the matter by senior associates Simon Topping and Harry Singh and associate Sumaiya al Yarubi.