As of January 1, 2019, Swissport will provide the Omani carrier with a full range of services, from passenger to ramp operations.
Swissport will handle the low-cost carrier’s flights to three domestic and eleven international destinations in nine countries. SalamAir is currently operating four Airbus A320 aircraft from its hub in Muscat, with five additional aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2019. In addition to services at Muscat airport, Swissport has already started to handle SalamAir’s daily flights at the private airport of Mukhaizna in the Omani desert.
“We are delighted that SalamAir has chosen Swissport to serve its valued customers at Muscat International,” said Nils Knudsen, Chief Commercial Officer of Swissport International. “In 2017, when we started up in Muscat, Oman was a greenfield site for us. We are proud of how quickly we established the Swissport operating standards, delivering the quality services our clients trust.”
The agreement supports the handler’s growth ambitions in the Middle East. Swissport entered the Omani market in April 2017 together with its joint venture partner Al Jarwani Group, which holds 30% of the shares. Swissport Oman rapidly grew its customer portfolio, which today includes flydubai, Air Arabia, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Air New Zealand and now SalamAir.
“We are proud to provide hub handling services to this fast-growing airline in the sultanate of Oman,” commented Mark Skinner, Swissport’s Senior Vice President Middle East & Africa. “Swissport is committed to fulfil and surpass SalamAir’s high expectations regarding on-time performance and quality.”
