Oman Air has appointed Nasser Al Sharji as its new chief executive officer, with the appointment taking effect on September 1, 2026.
Al Sharji brings more than 25 years of executive experience spanning aviation, logistics, oil and gas, government services and organisational transformation. He has held senior leadership positions at ASYAD Group, OQ and Nama Water Services, where he was involved in major national projects and transformation programmes.
Most recently, Al Sharji served as chief executive of Transom Handling and acting chief executive of Oman Airports Management Company. He holds an Executive MBA and has also served as a board member and committee chairman across several sectors.
Saeed Al Mawali, chairman of Oman Air and Oman’s Minister of Transformation, Communications and Information Technology, said Al Sharji’s aviation experience and record in organisational transformation would support the airline’s next phase of development.
The appointment comes as Oman Air continues to pursue network expansion alongside efforts to improve financial sustainability, operational efficiency and organisational performance.
Al Mawali also thanked outgoing CEO Con Korfiatis, who has led Oman Air since May 2024. Korfiatis will remain with the airline as advisor to the CEO, providing continuity and support during the leadership transition.
The change comes during a period of network development for Oman Air. In July, the carrier launched five new routes in a single month, adding direct services between Muscat and Singapore, Tashkent, Sochi and Abu Dhabi, as well as a direct Dubai-Salalah connection.
The new services comprise four weekly flights to Singapore, two weekly flights to Tashkent, one weekly service to Sochi, daily flights to Abu Dhabi and three weekly flights between Dubai and Salalah. The expansion brings Oman Air’s network to 49 destinations.
The airline has also identified cargo and trade connectivity as part of its broader network strategy. Its expanding passenger network provides additional bellyhold capacity for freight moving through Muscat, while new connections offer potential access to growing regional trade lanes.
Oman Air has been increasing its focus on cargo opportunities across the Middle East and Gulf. Earlier this year, the airline appointed Gokul Sudamani as regional head of sales for the Middle East and Gulf, a newly created commercial role based in Dubai and intended to strengthen relationships with freight forwarders and support regional cargo growth.
The carrier has also been expanding its regional connectivity, including additional services to the Indian subcontinent, where it has increased frequencies to destinations including Calicut, Mumbai and Dhaka.
Al Sharji’s appointment therefore comes at a significant point in Oman Air’s transformation, as the national carrier balances network growth with the need for greater efficiency and financial sustainability.
For the cargo business, the continued development of Muscat as a connecting hub and the expansion of Oman Air’s regional network could provide additional opportunities to grow freight flows between the Gulf, Asia, Africa and other international markets.
