Oman Air Appoints Nasser Al Sharji as CEO to Drive Growth and Navigate Regional Market

Nasser bin Ahmed Al Sharji officially assumes his duties as Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air today, Tuesday, succeeding Australian Con Korfiatis.

The board stated the appointment utilises Al Sharji’s aviation sector expertise and experience guiding organisational transformation as the carrier continues implementing its plan to enhance operational efficiency and financial sustainability.

Who is Nasser bin Ahmed Al Sharji?

On 20 August, Oman Air announced in a statement, the appointment of Nasser Al Sharji as the company’s CEO, effective 1 September 2026, noting that he holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and has previously served on boards of directors and chaired several committees across multiple sectors.

 Portrait of Nasser bin Ahmed Al Sharji, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, wearing traditional Omani attire.
Nasser bin Ahmed Al Sharji officially assumes his duties as Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air. Handout: Oman Air.

Nasser Al Sharji also possesses over 25 years of executive experience spanning operations, corporate transformation, aviation, public services, logistics, and the oil and gas sectors.

Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions in several prominent Omani institutions, including Asyad Group, OQ, and Nama Water Services, and has co-led the implementation of major strategic projects at the national level.

Within the aviation sector, Nasser Al Sharji served as CEO of the Oman Ground Handling Company, “TRANSOM”, and also held the position of Acting CEO of Oman Airports.

This background equips him with expertise that combines operations management, aviation, airport support services, and corporate transformation—areas directly linked to the challenges facing airlines in a highly competitive regional environment.

Expertise to Lead the Next Phase

Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, Engineer Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, stated that Nasser Al Sharji’s practical experience, alongside his aviation sector expertise and track record of leading companies through phases of corporate transformation and strategy development, qualify him to lead Oman Air through the upcoming phase.

Al Maawali expressed the Board of Directors’ confidence in Nasser Al Sharji’s ability to steer the company towards achieving long-term sustainable success and reinforcing Oman Air’s position as the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman.

TRANSOM also congratulated Nasser Al Sharji on LinkedIn on his new position, praising the valuable efforts and contributions he made during his tenure as CEO, and the positive impact he had on the company’s journey and the enhancement of its achievements.

Korfiatis Assumes Advisory Role

Nasser Al Sharji succeeds Con Korfiatis, who has served as CEO since 2024 during a crucial phase of transformation. Al Maawali praised Korfiatis for advancing financial sustainability, operational efficiency, corporate performance, and market standing.

Despite ending his tenure as CEO, Korfiatis will not be leaving Oman Air; rather, he will continue to provide support to the company as an advisor to the CEO, with the aim of ensuring business continuity and providing the necessary guidance during the next phase.

Taking the National Carrier to New Heights

In a comment following the announcement of his appointment, Nasser Al Sharji wrote on LinkedIn, that he looks forward to working alongside the Oman Air team, pledging to continue building on what has been achieved, enhancing performance, and further elevating the passenger experience.

Nasser Al Sharji described Oman Air as a “national icon and an important ambassador for the Sultanate.” He noted that the next phase will prioritise operational excellence, commercial sustainability, innovation, passengers, and employees, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to elevate the airline.

Oman Air’s Next Strategic Phase

Assuming his role, Nasser Al Sharji will oversee Oman Air’s general operations and strategic priorities, focusing on operational efficiency, financial sustainability, competitiveness, and passenger experience.

The airline is working to contribute alongside Oman Airports and SalamAir to the 2026–2030 strategy, building an integrated aviation ecosystem to support sustainable growth, enhance connectivity, and position Oman as a regional hub in both the aviation and tourism sectors.

In April, Oman Air reported historic results from its 2023 transformation program, achieving 3.2 million Omani Rials in registering Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) for 2025—its first profit in 15 years. Oman Air also cut bank loans by 27 million Omani Rials, marking its first debt reduction since 2009.

Despite the positive financial indicators, the new management faces challenges to complete this recovery, including managing liquidity pressures resulting from previous accumulations, and achieving maximum operational efficiency from a limited fleet (33 aircraft).

An Oman Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft parked on the airport tarmac under a clear blue sky.
An Oman Air Boeing 737 MAX on the tarmac. Handout: Oman Air.

In a competitive regional market, the new leadership’s role centres on quality over transit traffic and promoting Oman as a primary tourist destination. To succeed, management must continue to invest in the existing operational integration with SalamAir and its ‘Oneworld’ alliance membership to offset fleet size.

An infographic outlining Oman Air's 2026–2030 strategic pivot across tourism shift, ecosystem synergy, and fleet reach.
Key pillars of Oman Air’s 2026–2030 strategic pivot. Chart: Aljaweea, source: Al Sawt News, Wejhatt.

Nasser bin Ahmed Al Sharji’s leadership marks a new phase in Oman Air’s transformation, aiming to build on past achievements and create a more sustainable, competitive national carrier.

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