Oman Air will be participating in Arabian Travel Market 2009, the Middle East's leading travel and tourism exhibition, being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 5-8 May. Uniting key market players from six continents, Arabian Travel Market is four days of intensive meetings, seminars, press conferences, and social networking opportunities. Peter Hill, Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer, will head the company’s delegation to the event.

The national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman is pursuing an ambitious expansion programme in line with the country’s dynamic growth plans, where huge infrastructure development projects are underway. Oman has set its sights on attracting 12 million foreign tourists a year by 2020, compared to 3.2 million a year now. Both the government and private financiers are expected to invest some $10 billion in various tourism related projects to reach this goal.

Peter Hill, Oman Air’s CEO said that ATM provides a unique opportunity to meet current and new business partners from every corner of the globe. “The event is an ideal place for all stakeholders in the local travel trade to showcase their various products to overseas buyers,” he added.

“At ATM 2009, Oman Air is looking forward to entering into a number of new business relationships with selected travel companies, to encourage more tourists to travel to Oman and discover the wealth of experiences the country has to offer,” Hill concluded saying.

The airline’s CEO revealed earlier this month that the carrier plans to add 27 percent extra capacity, 41 percent more flights and aims to carry 43 percent more passengers in 2009.

During the current year, Oman Air will take delivery of nine new aircraft, four Airbus A330’s and five Boeing 737-800’s, bringing its total fleet size to 21 aircraft.