You have just opened a route between Paris and Muscat. Is this to offer new indirect routes to South Asia or to bring more people to Oman?
Of course, if connectivity can bring us business, we won't turn it down... But the objective of this new line is first and foremost to bring people to Oman. The opportunities are immense in this country where tourism has been deliberately chosen as a diversification solution in an economy that has until now been dominated by oil and gas. This choice was made ten years ago, with a very long-term development plan whose effects are already being felt. Numerous hotels and resorts have been built and several airports are due to open in the next few years. These major infrastructure projects are also generating a lot of business traffic, which we hope to serve well on this Paris-Muscat route.
Is the development of the national airline in line with these tourism ambitions?
This autumn, we already had 32 destinations and we should be adding 17 more in 2010. Our fleet should grow from 21 aircraft in 2010 to 30 in 2015. This will not only support the development of tourism in Oman, but also satisfy local demand: 70 % of the population in Oman today is under 30, and the government knows that this generation will be eager to travel.
You have also just launched a new business cabin. What are the main changes?
With a flat bed and cabins reduced to 20 passengers divided into 2×2, travelling in our new business cabin is like travelling in First on many airlines. The lights and technological equipment should also surprise everyone.
