As Oman expects to welcome back thousands of residents who have been stuck outside Oman from September 1, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it is ready to follow measures taken to facilitate travel.
Eng Naif bin Ali al Abri, chairman of CAA, said that to ensure a gradual and safe return of regular flights in the sultanate, the authority has developed and implemented operational plans that meet the aviation safety and security requirements.
“CAA has been keen during the last period to plan in advance for the gradual and safe return of regular flights to the sultanate since it was approved during the month of October 2020. It continued to follow its developments in gradual stages, as approved by the Supreme Committee,” he said.
It has adapted service providers’ operational recovery plans with the civil aviation legislation, rules and recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The statistics for the first half of 2021 indicate that the activities of civil aviation in the sultanate were affected by the pandemic, in line with the global impact on the sector.
The number of incoming and outgoing passenger flights decreased by 70 per cent, while the number of passengers dropped by 81 per cent.
The number of cargo flights decreased by 26 per cent during the same period.
“Civil aviation in the sultanate continues to be affected by the pandemic,” Eng Abri said.
Meanwhile, discussions are going on to waive the PCR test requirements for fully vaccinated travellers within GCC, H E Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Sa’eedi, Minister of Health said.
“Oman is in talks with countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council to study ways in which the requirement of PCR test can be waived for travel between GCC countries for those who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine,” he said.
© Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
