Oman Air has announced that it is adjusting parts of its flight schedule after several aircraft were temporarily grounded due to global supply-chain challenges. The statement was issued in Arabic on the airline’s official X account on 13 November.
In its statement, the airline said:
“Like many airlines, we are currently facing global supply-chain challenges, which have resulted in the temporary grounding of a limited number of our aircraft. Accordingly, adjustments have been made to the schedules of some of our planned flights.” (Translated)
Oman Air added that it is coordinating directly with manufacturers to expedite the return of affected aircraft to service:
“We are working closely and directly with the manufacturers to accelerate the delivery of the required components. All necessary operational measures are being taken to minimise any impact on our guests. We are committed to reorganising flights for affected passengers as quickly as possible—this is standard procedure for us in line with our established operating policies.” (Translated)
The airline did not disclose how many aircraft were grounded or which types were involved. However, publicly available fleet-tracking databases indicate that the number may be material.
Fleet Status: What Public Data Shows
Oman Air now operates an all-Boeing fleet after retiring its Airbus A330s in 2023 as part of its restructuring. According to fleet-status data from Airfleets and other public trackers, the airline has 32 aircraft:
- 24 Boeing 737NG/MAX
- 8 Boeing 787 Dreamliners
As noted in our previous article on the Boeing delivery backlog of Gulf airlines, Oman Air has pending orders of one 737 MAX and seven 787-9s.
A review of publicly available data indicates that at least three of the 24 Boeing 737 MAX 8s are currently marked as “parked”:
- A4O-MD — Parked since September 2025
- A4O-ME — Parked since September 2025
- A4O-ML — Parked since May 2025
While Oman Air has not confirmed the specific aircraft affected, the above list aligns with the airline’s description of a “limited number” of aircraft grounded due to parts delays.
Operational Impact
With at least 3 of 24 narrow-body aircraft out of service, this suggests roughly 12.5% of the airline’s single-aisle fleet could be unavailable. This would be a tight margin for an airline with a lean route network and limited spare capacity.
A reduced fleet naturally narrows operational flexibility and Oman Air’s statement confirms it is making schedule adjustments to address the temporary situation. The airline stressed in its statement that it is working with manufacturers to accelerate the delivery of required components and to “minimize inconvenience to guests”.
The parts-availability issue mirrors broader challenges affecting global carriers. Industry analyses, including recent IATA supply-chain briefings, note that next-generation fleets such as the Boeing 737 MAX and 787 have been among the aircraft types experiencing slower component turnaround times and extended maintenance cycles as suppliers struggle to meet demand.
The fleet constraints come during a multi-year restructuring programme launched in 2023, aimed at improving Oman Air’s financial sustainability and operational performance. The plan includes workforce rationalisation, productivity improvements, network optimisation and measures to enhance fleet efficiency.
Also read: Boeing’s Q3 Results and Delivery Backlog: What It Means for Gulf Airlines
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