Tourism & Hospitality | Monday 27 June, 2016 3:52 pm |

Oman Air has reaffirmed its support for the initiatives of Oman’s Ministry of Social Development (MOSD). In addition, the airline has restated its commitment to sustainable social development and has pledged to continue promoting initiatives which aim to develop and support people with special needs, those who are on low incomes and citizens who are registered in a social insurance program. 

 

The Ministry of Social Development makes the support of such people a major priority and it works to meet their needs on a daily basis. And, as part of its continuing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, Oman Air has worked in close co-ordination with the Ministry to deliver a range of projects which provide help for these citizens to achieve their full potential. 

 

Paul Gregorowitsch, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, commented: 

 

“As the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air is proud of its role in working with the Ministry of Social Development to improve the life of our nation.

 

“Oman Air has to date expanded the range of our community initiatives. These have supported those eligible for social insurance, improved the living conditions of those who are least well off and contributed to the achievement throughout society of a rewarding and balanced life. We have also provided vital backing for a range of educational, cultural and sporting initiatives throughout the Sultanate.

 

“In pursuing this essential aspect of Oman Air’s mission, we have been honoured to develop a genuine partnership with the Ministry of Social Devleopment. Oman Air is therefore pleased to reaffirm our support for the work of the Ministry of Social Development.

 

“Furthermore, we look forward to continuing to work together to enable all Omanis to achieve their full potential. In doing so, we can not only help to improve the lives of individuals, but also make an important contribution to the economic and social well-being of the Sultanate.”

 

Dr Khalid Abdul Wahab Al Balushi, Senior Manager Government Relations and Sustainability, added:

 

“Oman Air’s support for the work of the Ministry of Social Development stems from its endeavours to support the community through the Department of Government Relations and Sustainability. 

 

“We give such work the highest priority and recent initiatives have included exclusive arrangements to assist people with special needs, and who are on low incomes and require airline tickets. The tickets enable them to access treatment or education, or take part in other relevant activities. 

 

“We look forward to continuing to pursue our comprehensive corporate social responsibility programme, and to working in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development to deliver a positive, long-term impact within our communities.”

 

Oman Air has a record of providing sustained support for people with special needs. For example, the airline partnered with the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises and the Al Raffd Fund to run a workshop in Muscat. Here, the importance of providing financial backing for students with special needs was emphasized, the availability of practical and financial support was outlined and students learned about the significance of economic independence. 

 

Meanwhile, educational CSR initiatives have seen Oman Air partner with aircraft manufacturer Airbus to jointly host two school workshops conducted in Muscat by The Little Engineer (TLE), an organisation dedicated to instilling an appreciation of science and technology among today’s youth.  Oman Air has also joined with Boeing to run a training and recruitment skills programme for graduates of the High Technical College in Muscat. Additional educational support has included the donation of a large number of Arabic and English language books to Oman’s Maktabati project, which encourages children of all ages to improve their reading skills, develop a love of reading and undertake beneficial hobbies during their leisure time.

 

Oman Air’s support for cultural projects in Oman has included providing extensive backing for the Muscat Festival and the Salalah Tourism Festival, partnerships with the Omani Society for Fine Art and sponsoring the Open Minds Thought Leadership Forum.

 

Academic studies showed that in 2014, the social and economic returns to the Sultanate of Oman derived from Oman Air’s operational activities reached RO 420 million (USD1.092 billion). In addition, Oman Air was awarded Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year at the Aviation Business Awards in 2015.