Etlaq, Oman's commercial spaceport operator, and Latitude, a French-based commercial launch service provider, have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI), establishing a framework for the first experimental launch of Latitude's vehicle from Etlaq Spaceport. The agreement was concluded during His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's state visit to France and his meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, reflecting the growing collaboration and strengthening relationship between Oman and France.
His Highness Azzan Kais Al Said, Chief Executive Officer of Etlaq, welcomed the announcement:
“We are proud to welcome Latitude as our latest partner at Etlaq. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, not just for Etlaq, but for the broader relationship between Oman and France, two nations with a shared vision for what space can unlock for humanity. Working with partners like Latitude strengthens our capabilities and reinforces the growing confidence international players have in Oman as a space hub. We look forward to building a partnership that cements Etlaq's role as a key gateway to space, and we are proud that France is part of that journey."
Olivier Zarrouati, Chairman of the Strategic Committee of Latitude, added:
"Space has become an arena where tomorrow’s strategic balances are being shaped. This signing, on the sidelines of the meeting between President Macron and His Majesty the Sultan, is no coincidence: it reflects the shared ambition of France and Oman to build an independent space capability together. Latitude is proud to be its industrial vehicle."
Etlaq Spaceport's proximity to the equator offers particularly favourable geographical conditions for the dedicated launch missions Latitude is developing, enabling access to low Earth orbit, sun-synchronous, and mid-inclination trajectories from a single, strategically positioned site. In a global landscape where sovereign, commercially available launch infrastructure remains limited, Etlaq offers new space operators a mission-enabling solution.
The cooperation marks the first step toward a long-term presence for Latitude in the Sultanate of Oman, with both parties advancing joint work across ground infrastructure, operations planning, and regulatory requirements as they progress toward the experimental first launch of Latitude’s launcher from Etlaq Spaceport, currently targeted for late 2027. It further reflects the strengthening relationship between the Sultanate of Oman and the French Republic, underpinned by Oman's evolving space regulatory environment, one that has already demonstrated a commercially oriented approach and a commitment to enabling international launch operations.