Aviation History
Oman's modern civil aviation dates largely from Sultan Qaboos bin Said's accession in 1970, which opened the previously isolated country to rapid infrastructure development after decades under his father's restrictive rule. Oman was a founding government shareholder of the multi-state carrier Gulf Air before withdrawing its stake in 2007 and building up Oman Air, founded in 1993, into the country's full-service international flag carrier. Major investment in Muscat International Airport, including a new terminal opened in 2018, has supported Oman's ambitions as a regional aviation and tourism gateway.
Bayt al-Falaj Airport near Muscat becomes one of the region's earliest airfields, used from the late 1920s before later serving as the country's main civil airport into the early 1970s.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said takes power and launches rapid national modernization, including major investment in aviation infrastructure previously minimal under the prior sultan's isolationist rule.
Oman becomes one of four government shareholders (alongside Bahrain, Qatar and Abu Dhabi) of the multi-state carrier Gulf Air, which provides the country's main scheduled international service for over three decades.
Oman Air is established as a new national carrier, initially operating domestic and regional routes alongside Gulf Air.
Oman withdraws its ownership stake from Gulf Air and designates Oman Air as the country's sole full-service flag carrier, triggering major fleet and network expansion.
A new passenger terminal opens at Muscat International Airport, dramatically increasing capacity and replacing older facilities at the site.
Oman Air · SalamAir (low-cost, founded 2016) · Gulf Air (historical joint ownership)
Wikipedia, Oman Air corporate history, Oman Airports Company