Oman Air plans major aircraft order even as break-even delayed

Oman Air Transport plans to move ahead with a multi-billion dollar order for wide-body jets early next year even though it won’t now break even in 2017 as the low oil price curbs growth in the Persian Gulf. The carrier is now aiming to end losses by the end of next year, contingent on demand not deteriorating further, CE Paul Gregorowitsch said Tuesday. While the carrier will also delay plans to expand to a fleet of 70 aircraft and 75 destinations to 2023 from 2020, it still plans to order 15 new wide-body jets needed to replace older planes and add capacity, he said. Further discussions will be held with manufacturers and leasing firms next week as Oman Air seeks to agree terms to take either the Airbus A350 or the Boeing 787-9. The US model has a slight advantage because the carrier already operates 6 Dreamliners. <br/>