Oman Air set to join oneworld alliance at month's end

CEO Con Korfiatis expressed optimism about joining oneworld: “But we’re not going to be insane about (growth)... we’ll be pragmatic and rely on the good relationships we're building through oneworld and a couple of other key partnerships that we have, to deliver that global platform through our alliances.”

Oman Air's entry into oneworld will enhance earn-and-burn opportunities for frequent flyers. Its Sindbad loyalty program will integrate with the alliance's schemes, offering benefits akin to oneworld Ruby and Sapphire tiers.

Currently based at Muscat International Airport, Oman Air connects with hubs of five different oneworld carriers and holds codeshare agreements with several members like Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways.

Oneworld is one of the largest global airline alliances with 14 members before adding Oman Air. The alliance includes major US carriers such as Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, collectively operating over 3,200 aircraft serving more than 1,000 destinations worldwide.

The inclusion of Oman Air could strengthen oneworld’s position in the global market where it ranks third behind SkyTeam and Star Alliance in terms of passengers carried.