The addition of Chennai to the Oman Air Cargolux network is the cooperation’s latest step in expanding its air freight services from Oman to India. The cooperation was established to enable Oman Air and Cargolux to jointly access new freighter destinations and contribute to the development of Oman’s logistics hub. It will allow Cargolux to utilize Oman Air’s experience of flying to a range of global destinations, including 11 destinations in India. In addition, it enables Oman Air to further expand its cargo operation and build on the range of initiatives the airline has introduced over recent years.

Mafoodh Al Harthy, Chief Office Sales at Oman Air, said: “We are pleased to announce that Oman Air and Cargolux will now operate two full freighter flights from Chennai to Muscat. The new service will enable us to strengthen our presence within the Indian market by accessing the industrial belts of South India.

“Vitally, however, they will also give an important boost to the development of the Sultanate of Oman as a global cargo hub. Our new services will generate increased cargo traffic that will not only attract important revenue streams, but will also demonstrate to the global market the outstanding, modern cargo infrastructure that Oman offers.

“We look forward to seeing our new services to Chennai rapidly become a cornerstone for the transportation of cargo between India, the Middle East and Europe.” It is anticipated that the partnership will build on the success of the newly-launched services by expanding its air freight services from Oman to destinations in China, Europe, Africa and the United States.

Niek van der Weide – EVP Sales & Marketing, Cargolux Airlines, further added: “The importance and value of the cooperation and partnership with Oman Air which made the reintroduction of cargo services to India possible and, effective August 11th, we will go to 2 weekly flights ex Chennai”.

“India will be a very important market for Cargolux in the future and we will look at further expansion soon with planned addition of Bombay as a 2nd destination.”

At the joint event celebrating the cooperation between Oman Air and Cargolux in Chennai on 6 August where over 100 customers attended the presentation and dinner very positive feedback was received from the market on the capacity growth of the both partners in India