Emirates’ Manager for the Indian Ocean Islands, Oomar Ramtoola, has received the prestigious decoration of Grand Officer of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the island’s aviation sector. The esteemed accolade was presented to the airline’s manager by the President of the Republic of Mauritius following the recommendation by the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
Oomar Ramtoola, whose illustrious career with Emirates spanning over two decades, joined Emirates in 2006 and since then has played a pivotal role in the airline’s growth in the nation. Under his direction, Emirates has flourished in Mauritius and proven to be an invaluable partner, significantly contributing to the growth of its tourism sector and the economy through successful government relations and mutually-beneficial strategic initiatives.
“Oomar’s dedication and leadership have been crucial to Emirates’ expansion and success in the Indian Ocean Islands,” stated Adnan Kazim, Deputy President, and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates. “This prestigious recognition is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the aviation industry and achievements in promoting tourism and contributing to our growth in Mauritius.
“With Oomar at the helm of our operations in the island, the airline has prospered in Mauritius, in line with the growth of inbound and outbound tourism. His leadership has also allowed us to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the nation and continued success of the close partnership we share with the government. We are proud of his achievements and honoured to have him lead our team in the region,” continued Adnan Kazim.
Commenting on receiving the recognition, Oomar Ramtoolasaid: “I am deeply honoured and grateful to the President of Mauritius and the Prime Minister of Mauritius for bestowing me with the title of Grand Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. This recognition would not have been possible without Emirates, which has presented endless opportunities for me to learn, grow and continue to contribute to this dynamic industry. I also wish to thank all my colleagues who have supported me throughout my remarkable 50-year journey which continues to be fulfilling to this day.”
Throughout his tenure, Oomar Ramtoola has been instrumental in developing strong ties between the Mauritian Government and Emirates’ senior leadership, which has been crucial in increasing flight frequencies and putting the island on the map as a key leisure destination. His efforts have contributed to positioning Mauritius as a premier destination for travelers from the Middle East and Eastern Europe, driving inbound tourism and fostering economic prosperity. Oomar Ramtoola’s responsibilities also include overseeing the Seychelles market for Emirates.
His career with the airline includes countless landmark achievements under his leadership, including the introduction of daily flights to Mauritius in 2007, followed by the launch of Emirates’ A380 services in 2013, which allowed a significant boost to capacity on the busy route. Mauritius was the first African country to be served with double-daily flights operated by the iconic aircraft. Oomar Ramtoola was actively involved in the challenging operations during the Covid-19 pandemic, working closely with government and industry stakeholders to safely resume operations to pre-pandemic levels.
