Oman Air has signed long-term lease agreements with US-based Air Lease Corporation (ALC) covering a total of fourteen aircraft. These include three B737-800s, seven B737 MAX 8s, and one B787-9 that are currently on order from Boeing and another one B737-700 and two B737-800s from ALC’s existing fleet.

Deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled to begin later this year and will run through to 2019. Oman Air has two B787-8s and six B787-9s on order with Boeing directly.

Oman Air’s chief financial officer, Japeen Shah, said: “We are very pleased to sign these agreements with Air Lease Corporation. They enable Oman Air to continue its ambitious fleet and network expansion program, and deliver even greater choice and convenience for our customers.

“Our expansion plan will see Oman Air’s fleet expand to 57 aircraft by 2018, and to 70 aircraft by 2020. This agreement represents a significant step towards achieving our strategic aims. Furthermore, Air Lease Corporation is at the forefront of the aircraft leasing industry and shares Oman Air’s commitment to realising excellence in all aspects of its work. We look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

Over recent months, new services have been launched to Manila, Jakarta, Goa and Singapore with the carrier saying more are in the pipeline including, amongst others, destinations in Bangladesh and China.

The Omani national carrier currently operates a variety of Airbus and Boeing aircraft including four A330-200s, six A330-300s, one ATR42-500, one B737-700, eighteen B737-800s, four B737-900(ER)s, and four EMB-175s. Its maiden B787-8 is expected soon for domestic flights between Muscat and Salalah.