Airlines

Uncovering the History of the Royal Flight of Oman's 40+ Years of Service





The Royal Flight of Oman has a long and proud history of service to the Sultanate of Oman, providing the royal family with a safe and reliable means of travel for more than 40 years. Founded in 1974 by Sheikh Rashid bin Said Al-Maktoum, the airline was initially equipped with two British Aerospace 125 jets. This was followed by the acquisition of a third jet in 1979, and the airline has since added a number of different aircraft to its fleet.

Today, the Royal Flight of Oman operates a fleet of more than 25 aircraft, including Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer jets, along with an assortment of smaller turboprop aircraft. The airline is owned and operated by the Royal Office of the Sultanate of Oman, which is responsible for providing safe and reliable transportation to the royal family and other important dignitaries.

Throughout its history, the Royal Flight of Oman has achieved a number of significant milestones. In 1982, the airline became the first in the Middle East to be certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This certification allowed the airline to operate internationally and to join the IATA’s global network of flights. In 1996, the airline became the first in the region to obtain an operational safety audit from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This audit allowed the airline to maintain the highest safety standards for its operations and to continue to serve the Sultanate of Oman.

In 2005, the Royal Flight of Oman took delivery of its first Airbus A330-200, the first wide-body aircraft in its fleet. This was followed by the delivery of an Airbus A320-200 in 2009, which enabled the airline to offer a wider range of routes and destinations. In 2011, the airline became the first in the region to receive an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification. This certification allowed the airline to become part of the IATA’s global network of airlines and to demonstrate its commitment to the highest safety standards.





In 2013, the Royal Flight of Oman became the first airline in the region to receive an IATA Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) certification. This certification allowed the airline to demonstrate its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and to operating in an environmentally responsible manner.

Unfortunately, there have also been a number of incidents involving the Royal Flight of Oman throughout its history. In 1991, one of its aircraft was involved in a fatal crash in Iran, killing all onboard. In 2008, the airline was the subject of a federal investigation in the United States after a flight from Muscat to JFK Airport was found to have violated U.S. customs laws. The airline was forced to pay a fine of $3.5 million in 2009 and make changes to its security procedures in order to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Despite these incidents, the Royal Flight of Oman continues to be a leader in the aviation industry. Over the years, the airline has grown significantly, expanding its fleet and routes to become one of the most trusted and reliable air carriers in the Middle East.