SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost carrier, has announced the establishment of Salalah’s first airline base, marking a major step in its expansion strategy and strengthening direct international connectivity from Dhofar Governorate.

The new Salalah-based operation will initially connect the city with three international destinations: Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India.

Bookings will open on August 26, 2026, with flights scheduled to begin from the end of October as part of SalamAir’s Winter 2026 schedule.

The airline said the new base builds on its growing role in supporting travel and tourism in Salalah, particularly during the 2026 Khareef season.

In response to strong demand, SalamAir increased capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route, operating up to 15 daily flights during the peak period and adding thousands of seats.

The carrier also introduced special fares for Omani nationals, with one-way tickets starting at OMR9.99 ($25.98), helping improve access to affordable domestic travel between Muscat and Salalah.

The increased capacity supported the flow of visitors to Dhofar and strengthened SalamAir’s contribution to the region’s tourism ecosystem.

With the establishment of the permanent base, SalamAir aims to extend this contribution beyond the seasonal Khareef period and meet year-round travel demand among Dhofar residents and expatriate communities.

The new routes will provide more convenient direct access to major regional and international markets.

The operation will be supported by SalamAir’s fleet of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft.

The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, giving it additional flexibility to respond to demand and expand services.

During the winter season, SalamAir will also operate charter flights between Salalah and Kazakhstan’s Astana and Almaty, supporting inbound tourism from Central Asia and helping diversify Salalah’s visitor markets outside the traditional Khareef season.

The Salalah base forms part of SalamAir’s broader strategy to expand operations from key airports across Oman, serve underserved markets and stimulate new travel demand.

The airline said the initiative will support the development of Oman’s aviation and tourism sectors while strengthening Dhofar’s connections with international markets.

Adrian Hamilton-Manns, Chief Executive Officer of SalamAir, said: “We are proud to turn our long-standing commitment to Salalah and the people of Dhofar into action. Over successive Khareef seasons, SalamAir has continued to increase capacity and provide affordable travel options to meet growing demand. Building on this strong track record, establishing Salalah’s first-ever airline base marks an important milestone. By positioning an aircraft in Salalah, we will strengthen direct international connectivity, provide greater travel choices for the community, and support Salalah’s continued growth as a year-round tourism and economic destination for Oman.”  -TradeArabia News Service