DAA International wins ‘significant’ deal in Oman

State-owned Dublin Airport Authority's (DAA) international subsidiary has won a "significant" training and advisory deal in Oman.

DAA International has signed a memorandum of understanding with Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) under which it will provide specialist training to staff. The agreement could also lead to the Irish company providing advice on areas such as safety and security, customer service and asset management and development.

Under the first phase of the deal, 100 staff from the Middle East state will travel to Dublin Airport for training over the next six months, with the likelihood of further large numbers following them.

DAA International chief executive Colm Moran said the contract was very significant for the company.

“Five new airport facilities are currently under construction in Oman, and DAA International will be assisting OAMC with the delivery of these new terminals and airports though the provision of specialist training and a range of other services,” Mr Moran said.

OAMC is building a new terminal at Muscat International Airport, which will be capable of handling 12 million passengers a year, and a new international airport at Salalah – Oman's second gateway – with the capacity to handle one million people annually.

Three new smaller regional airports are also under construction in Oman, each with a capacity for 250,000 passengers a year.

DAA International was formally established in January. It provides airport management services, training and car park management services to airport operators and investors. It is exploring opportunities in India, Japan, Brazil and the US and has worked for clients in Australia, China, India, Romania and the Middle East.

Another DAA subsidiary, Aer Rianta International, has a partnership with Oman Air under which it operates the airline's duty free operations, both in-flight and at Muscat Airport.

It also runs a duty-free outlet in Oman’s sea port, Port Sultan Qaboos.