MUSCAT : The partnership will contribute to set the Omani Proof-of-Concept Program for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), one of the most comprehensive initiatives of its kind worldwide.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Odys Aviation’s ‘Laila’ aircraft, which designed for vertical take-off and landing, extended range, high payload capacity, and advanced autonomous piloting, will serve as the programme’s flagship model. Trial operations are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

The programme will also unite Odys Aviation, Omani regulators, global aviation leaders, and strategic partners to test hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft in real world environments.

It will build on Oman’s advanced regulatory framework, adopting the JARUS/SORA standards for vertical mobility operations. The initiative is set to become a global benchmark for AAM infrastructure, regulatory policies, and operational frameworks.

A key feature of the programme is the testing of operational regulations inspired by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including a pioneering operational risk assessment model with multiple assurance layers. These trials will directly contribute to shaping Omani civil aviation regulations in close collaboration with the CAA.

Commenting on the agreement, His Excellency Eng. Naif bin Ali Al-Abri, President of the Oman Civil Aviation Authority, stated: “This partnership represents a pivotal strategic step in the trajectory of Oman’s civil aviation sector. It comes within the framework of the national agenda to promote innovation and embrace the latest advanced aviation technologies, in alignment with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. It also underscores the Authority’s unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety and quality, while fostering a flexible and enabling regulatory environment that keeps pace with global developments in this field. Through this pioneering program, the Sultanate is not only preparing its infrastructure and economy for the future of air mobility, but is also contributing to setting international standards and shaping the future of advanced aviation at both regional and global levels.”

His Excellency stressed that the Authority aims to emerge as a strong competitor regionally and globally in aviation safety and security, environmental protection, infrastructure development, and the provision of highly efficient meteorological and air navigation services, with a clear focus on achieving the objectives and priorities of Oman Vision 2040.

For his part, Vincent Frascogna, VP of Business Development for Odys Aviation, pointed out that the programme shows clear intent from a multitude of partners with Odys taking a leading role in aligning government, industry, and technology leaders to test the entire AAM ecosystem, not just undertaking a flight test. “Aircraft OEM, operators, oil and gas entities, vertiports, autonomy, regulatory oversight and more, will all be coming together in a real-world setting,” he added.

Unlike prior technology trials in many other markets, the Oman Program will validate end-to-end AAM operations with cross-sector customers across multiple high-value use cases including oil and gas pipeline inspections, civil defence applications including emergency response and search and rescue, emergency medical logistics, national defence and infrastructure and logistics including long-range inspection, cargo movements and just-in-time supply chain support.

The programme will also provide tangible performance indicators for its partners, such as successful vertical take-off and landing, flights over varying distances, commercial payload deliveries to remote and offshore locations, full integration with existing helicopter operations, and the development of vertiport infrastructure and logistical support.

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