MUSCAT — Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority briefed a government delegation on its early warning systems, air traffic operations and public communication practices during a visit aimed at sharing expertise across state institutions.

Dr. Yousuf bin Salim Al Hinai, head of the Government Communication and Performance Development Unit at the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers, led the delegation, the authority said in a statement on Sunday.

The visit examined how the authority manages its technical, operational and communication responsibilities, including the delivery of timely information on weather hazards and aviation services.

At the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre, officials reviewed monitoring systems, procedures for assessing weather conditions and potential risks, and mechanisms for issuing alerts to government agencies and the public.

The delegation also visited the Muscat Air Traffic Control Centre, where it was briefed on aircraft monitoring and the management of traffic through Oman’s airspace, including the role of Omani personnel and operational technology in maintaining aviation safety.

At the authority’s media centre, discussions focused on content production, news coverage and communication during major events and emergencies, as well as the use of digital platforms to explain aviation services and raise public awareness.

Al Hinai praised the authority’s approach to aligning communication with its technical and operational responsibilities. He called for its practices to be shared more widely to support government communication across Oman, the statement said.

The visit coincided with the publication of an authority guide documenting its communication policies and procedures across 16 areas, including media relations, digital platforms, crisis response, rumours and public awareness.

The guide outlines a media policy adopted in 2023 that sets responsibilities for public statements and publishing, establishes procedures for handling media requests and seeks to ensure consistent messaging.

It also details coordination with airports, airlines and other aviation organisations through joint awareness campaigns, information sharing and media coverage.

The authority said its approach to crisis communication includes advance preparation, verification of information during an incident and subsequent reviews to assess performance and record lessons learned.

Media and digital monitoring help identify issues requiring clarification, with responses issued through official channels after information has been checked.

Public consultation also forms part of the authority’s communication work. Consultations and surveys have covered passenger rights regulations, services at Muscat International and Salalah airports, and digital platforms for drones.

The authority said it was also expanding engagement with young people and people with disabilities, while producing multilingual content for audiences in Oman and abroad.