John Menzies seals deal with Omani airports

John Menzies has signed a deal to provide ground handling at all airports across Oman, home to one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing airlines, Oman Air.

The deal, which should become a joint venture by the final quarter of this year, will employ 2500 people and handle more than 50,000 aricraft turnarounds a year.

Oman Air, formed in 1993, is a luxury airline with plans to grow from its present fleet of 40 aircraft to 70 by 2020. It operates out of Muscat Airport which is completing a major new building project. Menzies Aviation has annual revenues of more than £700 million, operating in 146 airports and 31 countries.

Forsyth Black, Menzies Aviation’s president and managing director, said: “We’re very excited by the opportunity to work with Oman Air. This venture represents real progress against our strategy by securing a hub location and by expanding in emerging markets.

“There is a great tradition of co-operation between British and Omani partners; we hope to add this new joint venture to that list.”

Menzies shares rose 2.5p to 505.5p.