New Oman Air CEO plans to accelerate cargo operations by end of 2012

OMAN AIR is planning to ramp up the airline's freight service and turn Muscat into a major cargo transport hub, CEO Wayne Pearce told Arabian Business in an interview.

"Cargo is a vibrant industry in the UAE and we are seriously examining the prospect of introducing freighter operations. We really have quite a lot of freight coming into us," said Mr Pearce, who was appointed in January.

The airline reported earlier this month its cargo revenue increased by 47 per cent for the January to May period while cargo tonnage increased by 33 per cent, reported Arabian Supply Chain.com.

"We have got these light bodies that can carry 60 tonnes of cargo from the east and to Europe. We are putting a lot of emphasis to filling those up and, down the line, introducing a cargo operation in Muscat," Mr Pearce said.

"My goal would be to introduce that by the end of the year. I have to go through the proper processes but things are looking quite promising," he added.