There's a lot which goes into launching a new flight, which can be easy to lose sight of as a consumer. The most basic level of "authority" to operate a route is an air treaty between countries, which is what the Open Skies debate between the US and Gulf carriers is centered around (there's an…
Continue reading: Oman Air Pays Record Price For Heathrow Slot
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If the goal is to accommodate passengers connecting across the Atlantic, why not buy a few 787s and fly yourself?
Actually, Oman Air has already expressed interests to fly to America...
"The airline... aims to serve New York daily from 2018"
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/oman-air-says-launch-first-china-route-in-july-619266.html
A third runway has been hugely controversial at Heathrow for years, and despite the suggestion (and its desperate need), I'll be shocked if they do in fact agree on building a third one this year (or the next few years) given all the opposition. Meanwhile, this unblocks Oman Air from flying what might be a key business route.
I think it is fantastic reading. If the market had not been monopolized by BA/BAOC as it was in the beginning the Crown Colonies would have had easy access to the LHR slots, but by BAs presence in the area, the will to invest local-capital in airlines was rather slow/soft.
Once the Brits however decided to pull-out, or regulate the market, the slot-restrictions at LHR were imposed. As of today LHR slots, based on time of the day, are a commodity that could have been IPOs, however the airline selling/giving-up on slots are almost doomed to loose. Either something more interesting route will pop-up, and be chaperoned or sponsored by BAA.
However, from my point of view, the local market has adapted accordingly. Most Legacy carriers of the European market, only do their LHR calls, to keep their slots.
"there’s an “open skies” treaty between many countries, including the USA and UAE/Qatar, but the US argues that that select Gulf nations should be excluded from it, since they’re not on a level playing field." This is confusingly worded and I don't think even accurate. AFAIK there's an Open Skies treaty between the U.S. and Qatar but not between the U.S. and UAE. And what do you mean the U.S. argues someone should be excluded? The U.S. concluded those agreements after all. Maybe you meant US carriers?
The third runway decision has been kicked down the road once again due to spineless UK government departments and the inability of the politicians to see past their own political survive-ability. Sound familiar?.
Seems a sensible idea, given that all of Oman Air's current flights land in Europe too late to make connections to North America. I wonder who they will codeshare with. Gulf Air partner with American.
Heathrow third runway has been discussed 4 times from 50 years ago, and nothing have been done. I don't think any decision will be made in this decade.
RE: 02nz
"AFAIK there’s an Open Skies treaty between the U.S. and Qatar but not between the U.S. and UAE."
The State Department begs to differ: http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ata/114805.htm
#33 on the list is U.A.E., signed in 1999
Oman Air paid $75 million for a slot that departs Heathrow 8.30 in the morning!
Check-in opens 5.30am
Heathrow express fist train departs 5.10am (except Sunday when it's 6.25am)
Underground
Station CENTRAL LONDON First train to Heathrow
Terminals 2 and 3 05:47 (Sun 07:05)
Terminal 4 05:42* (Sun 07:05)
Terminal 5 05:47 (Sun 07:05)
Definitely not a good flight for the UK market, so US is the only target. A difficult flight to sell maybe.
Garuda Airlines moves to Heathrow and paid nothing for their slot!
....a fool and his money comes to mind.