Muscat: SalamAir, Oman’s premier value-focused airline, has executed a comprehensive ten-year memorandum of understanding with Mach Aerospace International to establish advanced aircraft wheel and brake maintenance services within the Sultanate of Oman.

Under the strategic partnership, SalamAir will provide a complete inventory of specialized tools and equipment dedicated to wheel and brake maintenance operations throughout the decade-long collaboration period.

Mach Aerospace International will assume full responsibility for establishing and operationalizing maintenance facilities at Muscat International Airport. The purpose-built maintenance center will incorporate cutting-edge technologies to perform comprehensive maintenance and repair services for aircraft wheels and braking systems, serving both SalamAir’s expanding fleet and other regional aviation operators.

Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khonji, Chairman of SalamAir’s Board of Directors, emphasized the agreement’s strategic significance: “This partnership represents a pivotal advancement in Oman’s trajectory toward establishing a knowledge-based diversified economy and developing a globally competitive aviation sector. By localizing sophisticated maintenance capabilities within our national borders, we achieve critical self-sufficiency in essential technical services while retaining specialized expertise, advanced technologies, and economic value within our domestic economy.” He further confirmed that the maintenance facilities would be accessible to other airlines operating through Muscat International Airport.

“The initiative will significantly enhance the airport’s positioning as a regional center for specialized aviation maintenance services while functioning as an investment catalyst that will attract additional technical partnerships and operational ventures to Oman,” Al Khonji added. “This project’s importance extends beyond operational optimization to actively support national strategic objectives including specialized employment generation, advanced technology transfer, and the development of high-value industrial sectors, fully aligning with the implementation framework of Oman Vision 2040.”

He expressed particular pride in SalamAir’s leadership role in developing Oman’s aviation infrastructure, strengthening industrial resilience, and establishing the Sultanate of Oman as a regional hub for modern, sustainable aviation services.

Dr. Abdullah bin Masoud Al Harthy, Chairman of Mach Aerospace International’s Board of Directors, characterized the collaboration as “a transformative advancement in developing comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities within Oman. This partnership introduces sophisticated tire and brake maintenance services while implementing advanced maintenance methodologies and technologies compliant with global aviation standards. These capabilities will enable reduced maintenance turnaround times, extended component lifecycle management, and ensured operational safety and efficiency benchmarks.” He confirmed the company’s commitment, in partnership with SalamAir, to establishing sustainable technical infrastructure that effectively addresses the requirements of both domestic and regional aviation operators.

Adrian Hamilton-Manns, Chief Executive Officer of SalamAir, described the partnership as “a fundamental enhancement of our operational and technical capabilities. Developing advanced aircraft tire and brake maintenance services within Oman significantly improves our fleet operational efficiency while simultaneously building national technical workforce competencies.”

The CEO noted that the collaboration directly supports SalamAir’s strategic vision for fleet expansion and operational network development in coming years, with maintenance service localization representing a critical component for achieving fleet readiness optimization and accelerating growth initiatives while increasing operational self-sufficiency.

This agreement demonstrates SalamAir’s strategic objective to expand beyond conventional air transport services by developing integrated capabilities throughout the aviation value chain within Oman. Through the systematic localization of technical expertise and infrastructure development, SalamAir continues to advance industrial sector development, strengthen national capabilities, and reinforce Oman’s emerging position as a regional center for aviation innovation and sophisticated service delivery.