Oman Air's flight to China to boost investment

GUANGZHOU: Oman Air launched its first-ever direct flight to a Chinese city, a move that will facilitate tourism to the Sultanate and also enhance investments in Oman.
When the Times of Oman asked if the new flight route would add to the bilateral trade and investments from China in the Sultanate amid a slowly recovering economy, Oman Air Chief Paul Gregorowitsch said Omani companies are already tapping the Chinese market for investments.
“Companies are travelling to China to attract investors in the thriving hotel and real estate business in Oman. The new Muscat-Guangzhou connection is just the start of such air bridges
between Oman and China,” said Gregorowitsch. “And we will hope that soon, once the new Beijing airport is expanded,it will be the second top destination in our network. We are also exploring the possibility of establishing links with regional Chinese cities, not the three big cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou,” added Gregorowitsch, pointing out that China is a major investor in the SEZAD industrial sector.
Referring to the newly established Muscat-Guangzhou linkage, Yahya Al Jabri, the chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority Duqm (SEZAD), said the business destination is a haven for tourists. He added that Chinese investments in Oman were going on and will increase.
“China is the biggest source of tourists. The new route will have a positive impact on the Chinese industrial project in Duqm. It will bring Duqm and China closer with regards to investment exchanges,” said Al Jabri.
Gregorowitsch said several firms in Oman are looking towards China for investments, reminding that Chinese are already big players in the Omani market.
“We are confident that the stable political situation in Oman will open the way for unique investment opportunities for Chinese investors,” said the Oman
Air Chief.
Oman Air’s first flight to Guangzhou, China was full to capacity, as was the cargo section. The aircraft took off from the Muscat International Airport at 10:15am local time, and reached the Baiyun International Airport around six and a half hours later at 9:01pm local time. Oman Air’s senior officers and their entourage made their way to the VVIP section of the airport where military police welcomed them with a salute.
Paul Gregorowitsch, Oman Air CEO, exchanged gifts with high level Chinese dignitaries and civil aviation executives.
The new route will be served by four flights a week—on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday—while return flights will be on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday, using Airbus 330-200. Oman Air plans to have 75 destinations while managing 70 aircraft—45 single body aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Embraer 190, and 25 wide body aircraft such as the Airbus 330 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.