Rak Airways plans to relaunch operations by the end of the year.

The airline was established in 2007, but was forced to suspend its passenger operations in May 2009 due to the difficult market conditions triggered by the global economic downturn.

It has continued to operate on a charter-only basis.

However, Omar bin Saqr al-Qasimi, chairman of Rak Airways now says that the market has improved enough to restart services by the end of 2010. The airline expects to launch flights to new destinations across the Gulf, Africa and India.

Omar Jahameh has been appointed as the carrier’s new chief executive officer.