The new Singapore-Oman open-skies agreement (OSA) presents fresh frontiers for travellers in both Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
Singapore carriers are now allowed to operate any number of flights from the island-state to points in Oman and beyond.
Omani airline companies can likewise fly any number of flights to Singapore and further. The Sultanate, along the southeast coast of the Arabian peninsula, is the fifth country, belonging to the Gulf Cooperation Council, that the island-state has established a similar pact with. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates also have OSAs with Singapore, and they all serve Oman’s Muscat International Airport.
Increased air links will certainly boost Oman’s efforts to position itself as a stopover, offering a wealth of leisure, heritage, culture and adventure options. Australians and New Zealanders, enroute to the UK or Europe travelling on Singapore carriers, is a sector the government wants to tap.
Middle East travellers continue to be a promising market for Asia’s promoters, who appreciate their high-yield potential. Destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have been long been wooing them, highlighting shared cultural aspects in the areas of religion and halal cuisine.
Margie T Logarta