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Muscat: Ziad Bin Karim Al Haremi, CEO of Oman Air, is optimistic that regional airlines will receive new aircraft on schedule as rising jet fuel prices hit the expansion plans of European and US carriers.
"Some of the American and European airlines are feeling the pinch as jet fuel prices are going up," Al Haremi said on the sidelines of a function to launch Oman Air's new logo and brand at the Shangri-La's Burr Al Jizza Resort and Spa on Saturday.
He added that cancellations of orders by European and American airlines would help carriers like Oman Air get early delivery of their aircraft.
On Saturday, Ahmad Bin Abdul Nabi Macki, Oman's Minister Of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, unveiled the new corporate identity of Oman Air, which Al Haremi said represents warmth, creativity and energy.
"The new logo of Oman Air reflects the reality of the company as a breakaway brand that will bring international best practices to the regional aviation sector," he said.
Oman Air has placed orders for six Boeing B787 Dreamliner aircraft on lease from Aviation Lease and Finance Company (Alafco) headquartered in Kuwait and expects delivery by 2014. "In the current scenario the delivery date has come forward to 2012," said Al Haremi.
The B787 can carry 200 to 300 passengers on routes of 6,500 to 16,000 kilometres and is ideal for Oman Air's plan to start long-haul flights to the Far East and Europe.
Fuel efficiency
Boeing claims the 787 will use 20 per cent less fuel than today's similarly sized airplanes.
Al Haremi agreed that unavailability of aircraft had slowed Oman Air's expansion plans, but said the situation will improve once the new aircraft come in.
"The true Oman Air product will be seen next year as we set about operations this year, including rebranding and restructuring," he said.
The Oman Air chief also said that they were expecting delivery of Airbus A330-200 and Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Oman's national airline ordered five A330 aircraft from Airbus earlier this year.
With the new aircraft expected to join Oman Air, the airline has plans to add new destinations.
"This year we will start flying to Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt, Damascus, Sana'a, and Kozhikode in India as well as Bangalore," said Al Haremi.
He added that flights to Mumbai and Delhi will be increased to seven a week and six a week to Lucknow.
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