Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Oman Air, SalamAir boost Salalah capacity by 400pc for Khareef Season

Salalah
Oman Air, SalamAir boost Salalah capacity by 400pc for Khareef Season

Oman Air and SalamAir have dramatically expanded services to Salalah for the Khareef Dhofar 2026 season, increasing daily seat capacity by nearly 400% during peak travel periods.

Oman Air raised capacity from around 675 seats a day in April to more than 3,000 on high-demand days, while SalamAir increased daily seats from 495 to 1,505.

Together, the airlines added 192 extra flights and 35,639 additional seats on the Muscat–Salalah route in July.

Passengers can now choose from up to 23 daily flights, alongside new international services from Dubai, Bahrain, Dammam and Baghdad.

Oman Air has retained its fixed OMR54 ($140.44 ) return fare for Omani citizens, while SalamAir continues offering resident fares from OMR9.99 one way.

The expanded network is expected to attract thousands of visitors, strengthening Dhofar's tourism sector, supporting local businesses and advancing Oman Vision 2040 through improved connectivity and economic growth.

Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said: “Khareef is one of Oman’s greatest tourism assets and, as the national carriers, we have an important role to play in making it more accessible than ever. This programme reflects our commitment to serving both sides of that mission: ensuring Omanis continue to benefit from affordable travel through our unchanged national fares, while expanding our international reach to bring more visitors to Dhofar. Every additional flight represents an opportunity to support local businesses, strengthen the tourism economy and showcase the very best of Oman to the world.”

Adrian Hamilton-Manns, Chief Executive Officer of SalamAir, added: “We are proud to support the growth of Khareef, as one of the most anticipated tourism seasons in the region, through our largest seasonal operation to date. By expanding our network, increasing frequencies and enhancing capacity, we are making it easier than ever for travellers from across Oman and the region to experience the unique beauty of Dhofar. Accessibility and affordability remain at the heart of our strategy, which is why we continue to offer our dedicated residents fare alongside additional promotions. Initiatives such as these reflect our commitment to supporting domestic tourism while contributing to the Sultanate's broader tourism ambitions under Oman Vision 2040." -TradeArabia News Service