At Air Cargo India 2026, Asia Cargo News spoke with Claudius Pereira, senior manager –cargo commercial operations at Oman Air Cargo, about the carrier's strategic priorities, network development and plans for the year ahead.
Pereira set out Oman Air Cargo's focused and multi-layered growth strategy for 2026, highlighting network expansion across key east–west corridors, renewed investment in freighter capability, and operational upgrades at Muscat International Airport, Oman Air's primary hub.
He noted that the carrier's priorities were centred on strengthening trade flows from the Far East, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent into Europe, leveraging its position as a bellyhold driven airline while preparing for a more diversified capacity model.
"Our 2026 strategy centres on strengthening flows from the Far East, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent into Europe, positioning Oman Air Cargo firmly along key east–west corridors. The business continues to operate primarily as a passenger-driven bellyhold carrier, but we focus on enhancing connectivity, optimising our niche network, and exploring opportunities such as widebody capacity, joint ventures, and the revival of a regional freighter programme," Pereira told Asia Cargo News.
Recent additions to its network, including in Asia and Europe, also forms part of a broader plan to enhance connectivity and provide greater flexibility to shippers and forwarders.
"Beyond the new services to Singapore, Amsterdam, Tashkent, and Sochi, we have further growth planned," he said.
"Narrowbody operations into Singapore are set to begin in July, and Kigali remained in the pipeline as we finalize the launch timeline. We are also increasing operations out of Salalah, including routes to Moscow and Dubai, deepening our regional connectivity and unlocking additional eastbound and westbound flows."
Oman Air Cargo also identified India as one of its strongest growth markets, driven by steady demand for perishables and consumer linked perishables, particularly out of Mumbai.
With a diverse product mix and sustained outbound flows, India continues to play a central role in network planning and capacity allocation for 2026.
"India continues to be a priority growth market, driven by high demand for perishables and consumerrelated perishables, particularly from Mumbai," Pereira said.
On the capacity front, Oman Air Cargo reaffirmed its commitment to bellyhold operations but acknowledged that freighters would become increasingly important in addressing regional constraints and supporting targeted lanes.
"While bellyhold capacity remained the backbone of our model, dedicated freighters are increasingly important for addressing capacity constraints and supporting regional requirements," Pereira told Asia Cargo News.
The airline is also pursuing a multilayered approach, combining block-space agreements and purchase of additional lift, while evaluating the return of 737-class regional freighters through either charters or dedicated operations.
Infrastructure and product development also form another pillar of the carrier's 2026 strategy.
Oman Air Cargo's key investments include a renewed freighter program, recertification for handling pharma and fresh products, and expanded use of its Muscat cargo terminal, including its specialist live-animal facility.
These upgrades were aimed at enhancing service quality for temperature controlled shipments and providing improved resilience across its network.
Pereira noted that market trends for 2026 indicate sustained momentum in ecommerce, perishables, and high-value commodities, reinforcing the need for agile capacity solutions and robust ground handling capabilities.
"Our strategy focuses on flexibility and diversification," he said. "We mitigate constraints by expanding partnerships, securing additional uplift, strengthening interline cooperation."
Oman Air Cargo's ability to offer 90-minute connections in Muscat also remains a competitive edge, particularly during extended supply chain disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties affecting the region.
The airline also pointed to new partnership opportunities linked to Oman Air's entry into the OneWorld alliance. While the alliance is primarily passenger focused, cargo benefits are expected to emerge through extended network reach, reciprocal sales channels, and enhanced interline cooperation with member airlines.
As it scales operations, Oman Air Cargo is positioning Muscat International Airport as a high-service regional logistics hub, citing its modern terminal infrastructure, flexible commercial approach, and access to senior decision makers that enable rapid problem solving for partners and customers.
"These attributes, combined with our expanding network and potential freighter capability, position Muscat as a highservice alternative hub within the Middle East logistics landscape," Pereira said.
By Darren Barton, Air Cargo India, Mumbai