VIDEO Aviation ‘It’s survival of the fittest’, says Oman Air CEO By Shruthi Nair June 12, 2024, 12:09 PM Oman Air is continuing to reduce its losses and increase revenue, but its new CEO believes that adding more airlines to the market would not be sustainable. “There’s certainly a huge amount of aircraft coming to this region,” said Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air, speaking at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in May a few days after his appointment was announced. “If one or two new airlines come in Oman, will that be unsustainable? In my humble opinion, I would say it’s too much.” NewsletterGet the Best of AGBI delivered straight to your inbox every week Last month Oman’s civil aviation authority announced it was seeking investors to launch a new low-cost airline in the country. Speaking before the official announcement Korfiatis, who was previously head of Saudi budget airline Flyadeal, said that having one full-service and one low-cost carrier in Oman “makes complete sense in the market”. Oman plans six new airports in tourism push Oman records 300% surge in Russian tourists Airport chiefs size up ways to meet GCC airspace demand The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members already own 13 airlines. Reports suggest that Saudi Arabia will be launching two more carriers – Neom Airlines and another targeting the African market – in addition to the introduction of major new player Riyadh Air in 2025. AGBICon Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air, told AGBI that having one full-service airline and one low-cost carrier in Oman ‘makes complete sense’ There have been rumours of regional airlines merging – including Oman Air and the sultanate’s low cost carrier, SalamAir – which both parties have refuted. “In a pro-competition environment, it’s survival of the fittest,” said Korfiatis. Watch the video to discover the new CEO’s comments in full