OMAN AIR has announced plans to increase its cargo-handling capacity at Muscat International Airport when its new air cargo facility is built, reports Oman News Agency.
'The air cargo unit comes in complementation of the Sultanate's overall strategy for revamping the logistics sector,' said Oman Air vice president Ali Al Musafir.
'Oman Air has been liasing with the departments concerned to develop air cargo operations with a goal of reaching a total volume of 500,000 tonnes by 2040,' he said.
It has been reported that when complete, the new air cargo hub will measure 22,000 square metres and will have the capacity to process 350,000 tonnes of cargo per year. It will also be able to hold 734 shipping containers and 2,208 mobile chutes, as well as ground handling trucks.
The new hub will enable simultaneous loading of up to three freighter aircraft. In addition, a 2,500-square metre facility within the hub will be dedicated to livestock and a 228-square metre chamber will be used for handling high-risk goods. An air conditioning system and cooling units will ensure that perishable cargo is handled in optimum conditions.
Mr Al Musafir said Oman Air has a fleet of 55 aircraft and its main cargo destinations are West Asia, Europe, Indian Ocean countries and Sri Lanka. Efficient use of aircraft capacity and an increase in the number of destinations that Oman Air flies to were factors that played a role in it multiplying its revenues between 2016 and 2019.
The Times of Oman also reported that the country wishes to become less reliant on revenues generated from fossil fuels. Thus, it is focusing on enhancing its transport and logistics operations to generate additional income in the future.
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'The air cargo unit comes in complementation of the Sultanate's overall strategy for revamping the logistics sector,' said Oman Air vice president Ali Al Musafir.
'Oman Air has been liasing with the departments concerned to develop air cargo operations with a goal of reaching a total volume of 500,000 tonnes by 2040,' he said.
It has been reported that when complete, the new air cargo hub will measure 22,000 square metres and will have the capacity to process 350,000 tonnes of cargo per year. It will also be able to hold 734 shipping containers and 2,208 mobile chutes, as well as ground handling trucks.
The new hub will enable simultaneous loading of up to three freighter aircraft. In addition, a 2,500-square metre facility within the hub will be dedicated to livestock and a 228-square metre chamber will be used for handling high-risk goods. An air conditioning system and cooling units will ensure that perishable cargo is handled in optimum conditions.
Mr Al Musafir said Oman Air has a fleet of 55 aircraft and its main cargo destinations are West Asia, Europe, Indian Ocean countries and Sri Lanka. Efficient use of aircraft capacity and an increase in the number of destinations that Oman Air flies to were factors that played a role in it multiplying its revenues between 2016 and 2019.
The Times of Oman also reported that the country wishes to become less reliant on revenues generated from fossil fuels. Thus, it is focusing on enhancing its transport and logistics operations to generate additional income in the future.
WORLD SHIPPING