No more missed alerts: Oman Air seeks passengers’ direct contacts

MUSCAT: Oman Air has introduced a new requirement for passengers to provide their own contact details with every booking, a move aimed at ensuring travellers receive timely updates directly from the airline during delays, schedule changes and other disruptions.Under the new advisory dated August 18, all bookings must include a valid and active personal email address and a mobile phone number with the international country code. Passengers are also required to ensure that the contact details provided belong to the traveller or a designated contact person.The national carrier has made clear that travel agencies or other third parties cannot provide their contact details in place of the passenger’s personal information.The requirement, effective from August 18, is particularly significant for passengers who book their tickets through travel agents. Previously, operational updates could be routed through an agency or intermediary, creating the risk that important information would not reach the traveller quickly.With the new system, Oman Air will be able to communicate directly with passengers through channels including SMS, WhatsApp and email. This is expected to help travellers respond more quickly when flights are delayed, schedules are changed or alternative travel arrangements become necessary. For passengers, the advisory means that keeping booking information up to date is now more important than ever. A phone number without the correct international country code, an inactive email address or an agency contact in place of the traveller’s details could prevent important notifications from reaching the passenger.The move comes as airlines face growing pressure to provide faster and more direct communication during operational disruptions. For travellers, timely information can make a significant difference, particularly when a last-minute change affects connecting flights, airport transfers or other travel arrangements.Oman Air is urging passengers to check their booking details and ensure that their personal mobile number and email address are correctly recorded.The new requirement applies to bookings across the airline’s channels and is intended to strengthen direct communication between Oman Air and its passengers, reducing the possibility of information being delayed or lost between the airline, travel agents and travellers.