In a recent media briefing with Malaysian media, Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Paul Gregorowitsch took to the stage to share the airline’s expansion plans in Malaysia.
Gregorowitsch became the first CEO of a major Middle Eastern airline to do so in Malaysia in over five years.
Much was shared, including the probable increase of its Kuala Lumpur–Muscat flight to three times a day.
Oman Air had been toying with the idea after seeing a 21 percent increase in passenger capacity for the route so far this year.
“If you’re looking to our forward bookings for the period of June till December 2017, we’ve seen an increase of 39%,” said Gregorowitsch during the official briefing session.
The flagship carrier of Oman also took in 47% more passengers from Kuala Lumpur last year, something which motivated it to target 10 to 10.5 million flyers this year.
But perhaps the highlight of the day came after the official briefing session, when, in an exclusive with Astro AWANI, Gregorowitsch pivoted the conversation towards his competitors.
“Big is not beautiful,” he said when asked how Oman Air plans to compete with its giant Middle Eastern peers who have transformed the traditional hierarchy of global aviation over the past few years.
“Our neighboring competitors, they took massive aircraft orders, they have big airports and big aircraft, and they are handling passengers,” he added.
There was also no love lost for the connectivity of some Middle Eastern hubs.
“If you transfer from Kuala Lumpur to Paris, Zurich or Milan, connecting time is 1 hour 35 minutes in Muscat.
“You don’t need to have a gold medal in wrestling to get through security because at the same time, ten Airbus A380s are spitting out 500 guests each.
“You do not need to be a silver medal holder in running to bridge 5 kilometers from one gate to another,” said Gregorowitsch seemingly hinting towards massive global hubs like Doha and Dubai.
Dubai has been competing hard with airports in Europe and Asia to dominate long haul routes.
Its biggest airline Emirates is famous for operating with a large fleet of Airbus A380 Super Jumbos.
“Today there’s a crisis in the Middle East, our competitors are cancelling orders for a hundred 787s because they cannot take it, and other competitors don’t know what they’re going to do with their A380s,” he adds.
Gregorowitsch said on the contrary, Oman Air plans to remain agile – gunning for a maximum fleet of 70 aircraft, comprising 25 wide bodies and 45 narrow bodies.
But it’s not just the big boys that came within his crosshairs.
“Low cost airlines have a concept that you have to pay for everything,” he said when asked how they will compete with low cost players in Malaysia.
“People think in the beginning, wow what a nice price. But at the end of the day if they have to pay for their seat reservations, their baggage, their meal on board, it becomes quite often a different ball game,” he said.
Watch Astro AWANI’s full interview with Oman Air CEO Paul Gregorowitsch on Market Talk, this 28 July at 11.30 p.m.
Luqman Hariz
Thu Jul 27 2017
Oman Air CEO Paul Gregorowitsch in an exclusive with Astro AWANI. - Astro AWANI pic
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.