Oman Air signals possible re-entry on Coast route with agents search

Oman Air is seeking Mombasa-based business partners, signalling a possible re-entry into the route by the Gulf carrier.

“Oman Air, the rapidly growing national carrier for the Sultanate of Oman is seeking a representative partner for Mombasa,” says a notice published by the airline.

The Omani carrier is seeking general sales agents for passenger and general sales and service agents for cargo in the coastal town.

Oman Air recently purchased the early morning slot and sub-leased aircraft from national carrier Kenya Airways (KQ).

Oman Air signed a wet leasing deal for two of KQ’s Boeing 787-8s as part of the investment by the Middle Eastern airline.

The gulf carried has been expanding its presence globally, stepping up competition for its regional rivals including Qatar and Emirates Airlines.

Oman Air quit the Kenyan route several years ago shifting focus and increasing services to Zanzibar instead.

The Kenyan airspace has seen increased activity with new entrants debuting flights as well as charters and the return of old players.

Royal Air Maroc, the Moroccan national airline, debuted flights to Nairobi in April. Fastjet made its re-entry to the market, servicing the Kenya-Tanzania route engaging Kenya Airways in a vicious price battle.

Mombasa has received a boost in through the increase of charter flights to the destination. In April TUI Poland Charter, whose aircrafts have a 180 passenger capacity, said that it will begin flying directly to Mombasa’s Moi International Airport this month on a weekly basis.

More flights by TUI UK and TUI Europe will start in November and December as the companies continue marketing their east African tourism packages.

In February, it was reported that 36 passenger and cargo transport operators applied for licences to run local and international flights.

The applications filed with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) were renewals by existing operators and new applications. Zimbabwe-based Global Africa Aviation Ltd have sought permission to conduct cargo flights between Harare and Nairobi while Canada’s West Wind Aviation Ltd is seeking to offer passenger and cargo transport between Nairobi and east, west, central and southern Africa from Wilson Airport.

Other potential entrants include Poland’s Small Planet Airlines that plans to have weekly flights while Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation is seeking a licence for cargo services between Nairobi and Jeddah.