Oman Airports return to government control

20 October 2004

The Government of Oman is to re-assume management of the country's airports with effect from November 17.BAA and its partners in the Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) were awarded preferred bidder status in the privatisation of Oman's principal airports on 10 September 2001, following a competitive tender process. OAMC's responsibility for the management of Seeb and Salalah airports began in January 2002.Since the involvement of OAMC, the commercial viability of Seeb and Salalah airports has been enhanced and safety and security standards on the airfield and within the terminals have been considerably improved. It has, however, proved impossible to achieve financial closure on the terms of the privatisation and the development of a new terminal at Seeb airport.BAA and its partners are disappointed that despite their considerable success and commitment to delivering new airport infrastructure, it was not possible to reach agreement.The OAMC partners will ensure a smooth handover process, prioritising safe, secure and efficient operations during the transition period.

Seeb International opens its first branded food court

20 May 2003

The first branded food court was officially opened at Seeb International Airport Tuesday, 20 May 2003. The food court features the first ever Caesar's Pizza in Oman and marks the welcome return of Dairy Queen burgers and ice cream. Completing the bouquet is Magic Wok Chinese.Opening the food court heralds another step forward in the implementation of the retail strategy for the airport. The event follows the signing of an 8 (eight) year catering concession agreement between Jawad International Projects LLC and Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) and is the first of 2 (two) food courts to open at the airport, this year.

Colin Hobbs, Chief Executive of OAMC said: "This is a special development for Muscat. Not only is it a major improvement in the retail facilities for our passengers, but also for the general public. The food court is in the public arrivals area, so even if only you are visiting the airport, or plan to treat your family to a meal out, you can come here for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Both Dairy Queen and Caesar's Pizza will give the people of Muscat the chance to try an alternative to cuisine offered in Oman to date. With Magic Wok they all offer excellent choice, quality and value for money at the airport."

Visiting Muscat for the occasion, Abbas Hussein, Deputy Chairman of Jawad Business Group, commented: "We are very excited about this, the first of our new airport restaurants at Seeb International. We are convinced that the people of Oman will enjoy the quality of the food on offer. Both adults and children, alike, will now be able to choose from a wide ranging menu and enjoy a meal, whether they are travelling or just visiting the airport. In a few weeks we will open another food court in the departure's lounge at Seeb, as well as Woodland's restaurant at Salalah International Airport. The Jawad Business Group remains committed to serving the local community in every possible way, we are happy to provide job opportunities and contribute to the personal development of Omani citizens by training them in the highest standards the international food service industry has to offer."

With seating for 120 diners, and 4 exclusively decorated internet booths (equipped with the latest in digital technology) the food court offers a full range of burgers and sandwich meals, as well as the famous Dairy Queen soft serve ice cream. There are also soups, salads and pizzas of all kinds, together with a selection of classic Indian dishes.

- Jawad is one of OAMC's new range of retail concessionaires - Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) is a consortium responsible for the management and development of Seeb and Salalah International Airports, consisting of the Suhail Bahwan Group (35%), BAA (25%), the Government of Oman (20%), ABB (15%) and OAS (5%). - OAMC has a 25 year lease which commenced in January 2002. - An initial OMR64 million programme of development is planned to create a redeveloped terminal at Seeb International Airport, Muscat. - The new terminal will provide nearly double the current space of 39,000 m2, with a capacity for 6.5 million passengers per annum.- The development plan incorporates an integrated retail strategy.

Seeb and Salalah airport welcome new concessionaires
09 April 2003

BAA plc, as part of Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) – a consortium responsible for the management and development of facilities at Seeb International and Salalah Civil airports is pleased to welcome two new concessionaires to Seeb International.The first Travelex Bureau de Change in the Middle East and a new Turtles Bookstore operated by the renowned Magrudy's.TRAVELEX BUREAU DE CHANGETravelex has been awarded a three year contract with effect from 1st June 2003 and will operate from four existing sites previously occupied by the National Bank of Oman. The four locations will open in succession as each area of the main passenger terminal is refurbished under the airports overarching redevelopment scheme.

The first to open will be in 2005 within the new 13,000 square metre departure lounge. The others will be located in landside departures, and two in the airside arrivals channels.

TURTLES BOOKSTORE

A new 900 sq. ft Turtles bookstore, a three way partnership between OAMC, Asha Enterprises and Magrudy's has opened in the landside departures area.Magrudy's operate the renowned Dubai bookstore and have applied their experience in the layout, stock, merchandise and staff training of the Turtles store.The store carries a wide selection of books including the latest best sellers, as well as magazines, newspapers, soft drinks, cigarettes, toys and travel accessories and early figures show the store is trading well above expectations.Colin Hobbs, Chief Executive of OAMC: "We are very excited about these two contract awards. We are undertaking a massive programme of works at Seeb International, and Travelex and Turtles are two welcome partners in our plans to propel the airport into a new dimension of retailing."

An initial programme of development is in place at Seeb International, through until 2006, redeveloping the existing terminal and surrounding infrastructure which will double the size of the existing facility from 39,000m2 to 80,000m2. BAA's Retail Strategy will be integrated into the space.OAMC has a 25 year lease which commenced in January 2002.

Hillwood Withdrawal was not due to Corruption

Oman's Ministry of Commerce and Industry pooh-poohed reports that Hillwood Development of the U.S. withdrew from Salalah Free Zone project for bureaucratic reasons. The ministry has issued a clarification through the official Oman News Agency saying that the report by an international news agency giving reasons behind the company's decision to withdrew from the project were totally incorrect. More