National airline paving way for Omani pilots

Oman Air said it continues with its commitment to training the next generation of Omani cadets with the aim to increase the number of national pilots at the airline and contribute to Oman’s Vision 2040 Omanization objectives.

With 102 Omani cadets currently enrolled in the ATPL program, the airline is enthusiastically reshaping the pilot profession for Omani nationals in anticipation of a robust restart to aviation and post-pandemic travel.

The ATPL program launched in 2018 with cadets undergoing training at Oman Aviation Academy in Sohar in partnership with CAE Oxford, and is approved by Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Additional training takes place at Oman Air’s state-of-the-art Flight Training Centre at its headquarters in Muscat. With COVID-19 restrictions limiting access to Oman Aviation Academy, this year’s cohort of 102 cadets, which includes 5 female cadets, is completing course at various CAE training sites around the world including in the UK and Spain.

“Oman Air remains committed to Oman’s economic diversification and Omanization objectives by training the next generation of Omani flight instructors and airline pilots,” said Captain Moosa Al Shidhani, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations at Oman Air. Oman’s Vision 2040 is about fostering a strong Omani identity and prioritizing Omanis in the workforce, and the number of Omani cadets enrolled in this year’s ATPL program reflects positively on the airline’s efforts in these areas. Today, from among 432 pilots at Oman Air, 413 are Omani nationals, highlighting the importance the airline places on developing Omani talent and contributing to in-country value.”