Oman Air and Menzies Aviation today took a major step toward forming a joint venture partnership, which will provide ground handling services at all airports across the Sultanate of Oman.
The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming their intention to work together. They will now enter a period of due diligence and focus on regulatory requirements, with the aim of forming the joint venture within the last quarter of 2016.
The move is the latest step by Oman Air towards reconfiguring its handling businesses.
Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Paul Gregorowitsch, commented: “We are pleased to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Menzies Aviation which will see us form a joint venture partnership by the end of this year”.
He added: “Menzies Aviation is a highly professional, global company with a proven track record. Our partnership will enable us to access new technology, improve training and achieve the highest standards with regard to ground handling operations”.
Forsyth Black, President and Managing Director at Menzies Aviation, said: “We’re very excited by the opportunity to work with Oman Air. There is a great tradition of cooperation between British and Omani partners; we hope to add this new joint venture to that list”.
Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, was founded in 1993 and has evolved into an acclaimed international luxury airline with an Official 4 Star Airline ranking from Skytrax. With a fleet of 40 aircraft flying to over 49 destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa, Oman Air’s hospitality, comfort and space offer all customers a seamless passenger experience, whether they are travelling in First, Business or Economy Class. The airline is planning to boost its fleet strength to 57 by 2018 and 70 by 2020.
John Menzies plc is one of Scotland’s largest companies. The group has two operating divisions, Menzies Aviation and Menzies Distribution. Both divisions operate in sectors where success depends on providing an efficient, high quality, time-critical service to their customers and partners. The company was established in 1833 and its head office is in Edinburgh. Today the company is an international business with operations worldwide.