Oman Airports unveils 5-year roadmap for strategic growth
Published: 03:05 PM,May 14,2023 | EDITED : 09:05 AM,May 15,2023
Muscat: Oman Airports has outlined a corporate roadmap for the implementation of a number of strategic projects and initiatives designed to strengthen the positioning of Oman’s aviation sector as a key enabler of airline travel, tourism, air-logistics, e-commerce, private aeronautical services, airport city developments and national economic growth in general.
A five-year ‘Corporate Strategy 2027 & Financial Capital’ roadmap, spanning the 2023 – 2027 timeframe, also envisions a goal to privatize Oman Airports, the state-owned enterprise – part of Oman Investment Authority (OIA) – noted in its latest Annual Report for 2022. Key highlights are as follows:
Short Term:
• Rollout of Phase 1 of Single Token Journey Initiative: Increasingly adopted by leading international airports around the world, the initiative seeks to offer a seamless travel experience by enabling passengers to pass through various checkpoints from check-in to boarding using their biometrics.
A ‘single-token’ digital identity will be created at check-in by matching a passenger’s biometrics and passport. This improves the airport experience by reducing the need for repetitive travel document checks and queuing time.
• Launch of Logistics Gate (Phase 1): A key building block of a future Airport City & Free Zone Cluster at Muscat International Airport, the Logistics Gate will support the growth of air cargo services and e-commerce.
• Other goals: Signing of concession agreements for Muscat and Salalah International Airport; Oman Airports’ TRANSOM Handling/Cargo SATS divestment; and Implementation of In-Country Value programs;
Medium Term:
• Implementation of the Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (ACDM) project at Muscat International Airport; 3MW solar power project at Salalah Airport; Launch of Hold Baggage System with Computerised Tomography scanning technology at Salalah; Plan Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Terminal hosting the facilities of private businesses licensed to provide aeronautical services for aircraft, passengers, and crew, typically for private and recreational flying.
• Infrastructure work for the Logistics Gate (Phase 2); Masterplan and Infrastructure Design of Airport City at Muscat International Airport; Construction of new Passenger Terminal Building at Suhar Airport; Construction of new Perishable Centre at Muscat International: and refurbishment work at Old Muscat terminal building
Long-Term:
• Oman Airports has identified six revenue-related initiatives: the Development of the Aviation Gate in Muscat; the Construction of a new Cargo Building at Suhar Airport; Infrastructure development work at Suhar Airport City; the Development of the Hospitality Gate at Muscat; and the Rollout of Phase 2 of Single Token Journey Initiative.
• Key enablers for Oman Airports over this period include the privatization of Oman Airports and the ongoing development of the new Training Facility; and the Development of Business Gate Muscat.
Oman Airports Management Company SAOC oversees a portfolio of seven airports comprising the international airports in Muscat and Salalah, regional airports in Suhar, Duqm and the three airports of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in Marmul, Qarn Alam, and Fahud.
Revenue generated during 2022 totalled RO 86.3 million, up from RO 57.8 million in 2021. Operating costs totaled RO 60.2 million for the year (exclusive of license fees), compared to RO 52.7 million in 2021. The company recorded EBITDA of RO 19.4 million in 2022 as against RO 2.5 million in 2021. Net profit amounted to RO 12.8 million for 2022, up from RO 1.0 million in 2021.
A five-year ‘Corporate Strategy 2027 & Financial Capital’ roadmap, spanning the 2023 – 2027 timeframe, also envisions a goal to privatize Oman Airports, the state-owned enterprise – part of Oman Investment Authority (OIA) – noted in its latest Annual Report for 2022. Key highlights are as follows:
Short Term:
• Rollout of Phase 1 of Single Token Journey Initiative: Increasingly adopted by leading international airports around the world, the initiative seeks to offer a seamless travel experience by enabling passengers to pass through various checkpoints from check-in to boarding using their biometrics.
A ‘single-token’ digital identity will be created at check-in by matching a passenger’s biometrics and passport. This improves the airport experience by reducing the need for repetitive travel document checks and queuing time.
• Launch of Logistics Gate (Phase 1): A key building block of a future Airport City & Free Zone Cluster at Muscat International Airport, the Logistics Gate will support the growth of air cargo services and e-commerce.
• Other goals: Signing of concession agreements for Muscat and Salalah International Airport; Oman Airports’ TRANSOM Handling/Cargo SATS divestment; and Implementation of In-Country Value programs;
Medium Term:
• Implementation of the Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (ACDM) project at Muscat International Airport; 3MW solar power project at Salalah Airport; Launch of Hold Baggage System with Computerised Tomography scanning technology at Salalah; Plan Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Terminal hosting the facilities of private businesses licensed to provide aeronautical services for aircraft, passengers, and crew, typically for private and recreational flying.
• Infrastructure work for the Logistics Gate (Phase 2); Masterplan and Infrastructure Design of Airport City at Muscat International Airport; Construction of new Passenger Terminal Building at Suhar Airport; Construction of new Perishable Centre at Muscat International: and refurbishment work at Old Muscat terminal building
Long-Term:
• Oman Airports has identified six revenue-related initiatives: the Development of the Aviation Gate in Muscat; the Construction of a new Cargo Building at Suhar Airport; Infrastructure development work at Suhar Airport City; the Development of the Hospitality Gate at Muscat; and the Rollout of Phase 2 of Single Token Journey Initiative.
• Key enablers for Oman Airports over this period include the privatization of Oman Airports and the ongoing development of the new Training Facility; and the Development of Business Gate Muscat.
Oman Airports Management Company SAOC oversees a portfolio of seven airports comprising the international airports in Muscat and Salalah, regional airports in Suhar, Duqm and the three airports of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in Marmul, Qarn Alam, and Fahud.
Revenue generated during 2022 totalled RO 86.3 million, up from RO 57.8 million in 2021. Operating costs totaled RO 60.2 million for the year (exclusive of license fees), compared to RO 52.7 million in 2021. The company recorded EBITDA of RO 19.4 million in 2022 as against RO 2.5 million in 2021. Net profit amounted to RO 12.8 million for 2022, up from RO 1.0 million in 2021.