In April 2017 Oman Air announced plans to replace the A330s with more new Boeing 787s. Later, in January 2018, Oman Air took delivery of the first of the medium range Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft for its medium haul routes.

In 2018, Oman Air announced plans to dramatically expand both its fleet and route network, targeting more than 60 new destinations and a fleet of around 70 aircraft within a few years. This expansion strategy was supported by infrastructure improvements, most notably the opening of the new terminal at Muscat International Airport in 2018, which significantly increased passenger capacity and allowed Oman Air to accommodate larger aircraft and higher traffic volumes. The airline’s business model at this time emphasized strengthening Muscat as a growing hub linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, while also promoting inbound tourism to Oman.

During 2019, Oman Air continued its expansion-oriented trajectory by strengthening partnerships and modernizing its commercial systems.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and its continuation into 2021 fundamentally altered Oman Air’s trajectory. Like many global carriers, the airline faced a dramatic collapse in passenger demand and was forced to reassess its expansion plans. In February 2021, Oman Air officially abandoned its earlier fleet growth strategy, reducing its planned fleet size from approximately 50 aircraft to around 36. At the same time, the airline cut several unprofitable routes, including services to cities such as Athens and Casablanca, marking a shift away from aggressive expansion toward cost control and operational efficiency.

Despite these setbacks, Oman Air began laying the groundwork for long-term recovery during 2021 and 2022. One of the most strategically important announcements during this period was its intention to join the Oneworld alliance, initially targeted for 2022 but later postponed. At the same time, the airline cautiously resumed operations and adjusted capacity in response to recovering travel demand.

By 2023, the airline had largely recovered from the pandemic’s immediate impact, with load factors approaching pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, the restructuring intensified, particularly in terms of fleet and network rationalization. Oman Air announced the retirement of its Airbus A330 fleet, a significant move aimed at simplifying operations and reducing costs associated with operating multiple aircraft types. The airline also reduced or eliminated several routes as part of its effort to focus on profitable markets and streamline its network.

Fleet modernization also played a central role in this phase. Oman Air took delivery of additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Boeing 737-8 aircraft, replacing older Airbus A330s.

The year 2025 marked a turning point in Oman Air’s recovery and strategic positioning. The airline officially joined the Oneworld alliance, greatly expanding its global reach to approximately 900 destinations through partner networks. In parallel, the airline resumed network expansion with the launch of new routes, including destinations such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Singapore, Baghdad, and Taif, as well as increased frequencies on key routes like London Heathrow.

Looking toward the future, Oman Air’s strategy appears to balance cautious expansion with financial discipline. The airline is actively evaluating its next phase of fleet development, including the potential acquisition of higher-capacity narrowbody aircraft to efficiently serve medium-haul markets in Europe and Southeast Asia.

Future route development is also closely tied to Oman’s broader economic and tourism objectives. Oman Air has indicated plans to increase connectivity to emerging tourism markets and expand services to secondary cities, including potential growth in Russian and European leisure routes.