Sultanate airports eye global top 20 ranking
Oman Airport Management Company’s transformation strategy outlines its vision for Oman Airports to be ranked among the top 20 airports in the world by 2020
MUSCAT: In line with the Government’s ninth five-year development plan, and under the wise leadership and vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC) unveiled its latest five-year corporate strategy during a launch ceremony for Muscat OAMC staff held at the Al-Shafaq Ballroom on Tuesday.
The OAMC’s five-year strategy sets out the purpose, vision and mission for the company and outlines the strategic roadmap to achieve these objectives between 2016 and 2020. The purpose, “Growing gateways to beauty and opportunity” is designed to work hand-in-hand with the Sultanate’s burgeoning tourism, transport and logistics sectors.
According to OAMC’s transformation strategy, airports in Oman are the gateways to the country, thus opening doors to the beauty within. Further, in creating and operating state-of-the-art airports, OAMC will also present and enable numerous opportunities that will commercially enhance social and economic prosperity of the nation.
Transformation strategy
The transformation strategy also outlines the company’s vision for Oman Airports to be ranked among the top 20 airports in the world by 2020. Currently, the Muscat International Airport is ranked among the top 10 airports in the Middle East, with an average annual growth forecast of 7.9 per cent.
Over the next year, OAMC will focus on the transition and launch of the new Muscat International Airport Terminal and eventually operate both the existing and the new terminal, boosting airport capacity to 12,000 million people per annum.
With 60 per cent of the world’s population located within six hours of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, the company has the unique opportunity to capitalise on Oman’s strategic location to transform the Sultanate into a regional and worldwide transport hub, according to OAMC.
Over the years, the Sultanate of Oman has been rated among one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) realises that the airports of the country will be gateways to that beauty, and will strive to develop facilities and experiences that commercially enhance the social and economic prosperity of the nation.
Airports of the future are transforming themselves to become more than mere transport and logistics transit points to a connected world, and are now looking to serve as an iconic gateway to the nation. Oman airports will showcase the cultural uniqueness of the Sultanate, and establish new-age hospitality, duty free and experiential businesses within their premises and through that contribute to the continued prosperity of the nation.
The strategy directly aligns with His Majesty’s vision that has identified transportation, logistics and tourism as among the key sectors to spearhead economic growth and diversification. Increasing airport capability and capacity and ensuring continued excellence in airport management are essential components for supporting growth in the transportation and tourism sectors of the Sultanate.
The aim of the new five-year strategy is not only to deliver a way forward for OAMC, but to position the company as a key contributor for the economic growth and prosperity of the Sultanate. In formulating the new strategy, OAMC has undertaken comprehensive consultations, involving all key stakeholders that contribute to the nation’s development march and the aviation sector, directly or indirectly. Also outlining tactics to improve performance and efficiency within the company, OAMC places a high emphasis on enhanced human resource tactics that aim to streamline recruitment processes, increase Omanisation, enhance training programs and support budding talent within the organisation.
Currently, OAMC has over 1,200 employees with an Omanisation rate of 93 per cent.
OAMC is owned by the Government of Oman. It is responsible for the management and operation of civil airports in the Sultanate, and operates, maintains and manages the airports and associated infrastructure, such as the terminal buildings, cargo buildings, runways, taxiways, apron and car park at these airports.