SalamAir, Oman's low-cost carrier, has said that it is ready to operate flights to all its past destinations, if accessible.

 

In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA),  SalamAir CEO Mohammed Ahmed welcomed the decision of Oman's Supreme Covid-19 Control Committee to partially open the Muscat International Airport. He pointed out that the Civil Aviation Authority had permitted a first phase of operations, giving airlines an opportunity to operate two flights a week to past destinations. 

 

He said the airline has been hit hard by the coronavirus (Covid-19) impact, but since it's a small company, it has been easier to manage the crisis.

 

Ahmed explained that SalamAir returned 30% of its fleet and kept only six aircraft. Over the past few months, SalamAir was able to operate 651 casual flights to 60 destinations, carrying more than 67,000 passengers. 

 

The flights eased, relatively, the losses of the company caused by lockdown on air travel locally and internationally in late March 2020, he said.

 

Asked which destinations are likely to be of great interest to SalamAir passengers, Ahmed mentioned Istanbul of Turkey, Shiraz of Iran and some GCC destinations like Dubai due to the deferment of the new school year to November 2020.

 

He said the Sultanate is expected to see an influx of tourists from the GCC as the weather is turning moderate in Oman where tourism facilities are usually abuzz with GCC families during the cool season.

 

Ahmed promised that his company will be highly dedicated to customer safety. Fortunately, the company’s new planes are fitted with hi-tech ventilation systems, the latest of its kind in the world, said Ahmed. 

 

“Not only that, SalamAir signed contracts with some of the most specialized international firms to keep its aircraft free from virus, microbes and germs. Any passenger who steps onboard will be confident that he is entering a highly hygienic aircraft,” said Ahmed.