Over 10 air sports events planned across Oman this year to boost tourism

Muscat – The Air Sports Committee of Oman will organise more than 10 local events and championships this year and host an international air sports championship and a specialised global exhibition, as part of efforts to promote sports tourism and support the national economy.

Dr Ahmed bin Zaher al Alawi, chairman of the Air Sports Committee, said the committee organised more than 20 local events and championships over the past two years covering paragliding, radio-controlled flying, kite flying and sport drones.

The events, along with air shows and introductory gatherings, were held in several governorates and attracted more than 600 participants of various age groups.

Alawi said sports teams, in cooperation with the committee, conducted more than 25 training programmes and specialised workshops in aviation, air safety and technical organisation. These programmes helped qualify around 150 Omani pilots in line with recognised international standards.

He stressed that safety remains a priority in all committee activities.

Oman has also expanded its international presence, taking part in more than 15 overseas events and championships in recent years, including in GCC, Arab and Asian countries. Omani teams recorded advanced results, reflecting technical progress in the sector, he said.

According to Alawi, international participation has helped strengthen Oman’s presence in global forums, facilitated exchanges with specialised federations and provided exposure to modern systems and technologies in air sports.

He said tandem paragliding is emerging as a popular recreational and tourism activity globally, allowing visitors to experience aerial views under the supervision of certified pilots without prior experience. Flights usually last between 10 and 30 minutes depending on weather and location.

Such activities contribute to attracting tourists, creating jobs and promoting Oman as a destination for aerial adventure tourism, he added.

Alawi said all flights are subject to strict safety measures, including equipment inspection, weather monitoring and compliance with civil aviation regulations.

He added that the committee is working with the Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant entities to develop regulatory and licensing frameworks for air sports, with the aim of expanding participation, developing national talent and strengthening Oman’s position as a destination for air sports and adventure tourism.