Monday 05 / October / 2026
Muscat: The Civil Aviation Investment Forum reviewed key investment opportunities across the sector, highlighting the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships, land development, commercial activities, and logistics surrounding Muscat, Salalah, and Sohar airports as integrated economic hubs.
Organised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at its headquarters in Muscat, the forum brought together government representatives, operators, investors, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as part of the initial phase of assessing readiness for the National Aviation Strategy 2040. The event focused on airport cities, free zones, logistics services, foreign investment, emerging technologies, advanced air mobility, and national talent development to support Oman Vision 2040.
His Excellency Engineer Naif bin Ali Al Abri, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, emphasized that the aviation sector acts as a vital link connecting Oman to global markets while driving economic diversification. He noted that the National Aviation Strategy 2040 serves as a roadmap to be implemented across 39 initiatives and three phases, aiming to attract cumulative private sector investments amounting to OMR 11.7 billion by 2040 through the Private Sector Attraction Programme.
The forum featured the signing of several major agreements and memoranda of understanding. The Civil Aviation Authority signed a 35-year concession agreement with Oman Airports Company for the operation, management, and development of Muscat International Airport, Salalah Airport, and Sohar Airport to enhance operational efficiency, passenger experience, and Omanisation.
Additionally, the CAA signed a 20-year concession agreement with Indonesia's GMF AeroAsia to operate and manage heavy maintenance and periodic inspection facilities at Muscat International Airport, transforming it into a regional maintenance hub. Further partnerships included a cooperation agreement between Oman Aviation Academy and the Arab Aviation Academy, alongside a memorandum of understanding between GMF AeroAsia and Mac Aerospace International to develop aircraft maintenance and training capabilities.
The event concluded with panel discussions addressing the investor journey from opportunity to operation, capital and partnerships, and the role of national competencies as key enablers of sector investment.
