Muscat: Oman Air and SalamAir have unveiled a substantial increase in their flight operations to Salalah, synchronizing with the Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season of 2026. This expansion marks a significant boost in operational capacity, surging by up to 400 percent during the peak period of the season.
According to Oman News Agency, Oman Air has significantly ramped up its daily seat offerings from 675 in April to over 3,000 during peak demand days. Similarly, SalamAir has augmented its seat capacity from 495 to 1,505 daily. In July alone, the carriers introduced 192 additional flights and 35,639 extra seats on the Muscat-Salalah route, along with bolstering domestic flights.
The national carrier, Oman Air, has upheld the fixed pricing for Omani citizens, approved since 2023, enabling travel between Muscat and Salalah for RO 54. Throughout the Khareef season, travelers can choose from up to 23 daily flights between Muscat and Salalah, accommodating various travel needs.
In addition, SalamAir continues its daily direct flights between Sohar and Salalah, further enhancing connectivity between North Al Batinah and Dhofar. On the international front, Oman Air has introduced direct flights from Dubai to Salalah and a seasonal weekly service connecting Bahrain to Salalah in collaboration with Discovery Travel. SalamAir also launched seasonal direct flights from Dammam and Baghdad to Salalah.
These services are poised to attract thousands of additional visitors to Dhofar, benefiting the hospitality sector, boosting local businesses, and revitalizing tourism. As national carriers, Oman Air and SalamAir continue to play a crucial role in enhancing air connectivity, expanding operational capacity, and offering diverse travel options during the Khareef season.
The collaboration between the two airlines underscores their commitment to facilitating travel within Oman, supporting economic growth, and aligning with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air, emphasized the Khareef season as a key tourism driver, highlighting the airlines' responsibility to lead efforts in enhancing connectivity to this vital destination.
Korfiatis noted that the expanded flight program reflects Oman Air's dedication to balancing seamless travel opportunities for Omani citizens at subsidized prices while attracting more international tourists to Dhofar Governorate. Adrian Hamilton-Manns, CEO of SalamAir, echoed the sentiment, citing the Khareef Dhofar season as a major tourism draw and emphasizing the company's largest seasonal operational program to date.
Hamilton-Manns added that providing easy access and affordable travel options is central to SalamAir's strategy, which is demonstrated by resident pricing and additional promotional offers. These initiatives underscore SalamAir's commitment to supporting domestic tourism and achieving the Sultanate of Oman's tourism objectives in line with Oman Vision 2040.