MUSCAT: Oman paid Qatar Airways to transport its citizens and students from the United States and it was not done for “free” as reported by the regional media, Government Communication Center clarified on Thursday. 

The statement from the Government Communication Centre (GC) comes after it was widely discussed in regional media. “Oman Air does not have the licence to fly to US. So, the government contacted Qatar Airways to transport citizens and students on a commercial agreement. Our priority was to bring our citizens and students safely and quickly from US.   Following the agreement, it was decided to operate non-stop Qatar Airways flight from US to Muscat,” the statement said. 

Omani students and citizens from US returned to Oman on Wednesday due to the coronavirus outbreak.