Former Air Berlin management board member Paul Gregorowitsch has been named as new CEO of Oman Air.
The appointment coincided with the airline confirmed that it was re-routing flights to and from its home base of Muscat to avoid flying over Iraq as “a precautionary measure” due to the on-going conflict in the area.
Passengers to and from European destinations and Beirut are being advised that flight times may be extended.
Gregorowitsch, who succeeds Wayne Pearce at the helm of the airline, said: “This measure was taken as part of our ongoing review of flight paths between Muscat and Europe, and follows our decisions in April not to overfly the Ukraine, and a year ago not to overfly Syria.
“Oman Air’s primary concern is, as is for all airlines, the safety and well-being of our customers and staff, and we aim to take a long-term view of the possible need for changes in the way we operate.
“Geopolitical developments are considered alongside a range of other issues and our forward planning can result in changes some time before they become a statutory requirement.”
Oman Air currently operates flights from Muscat to 43 destinations, including the six European cities of London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich and Milan.