Muscat: Oman Air achieved a qualitative leap in flight movements to Salalah during Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season 2026, having raised seat capacity by 16 percent compared with the previous year, registering remarkable growth in regional connectivity through the launch of new services and attracting record numbers of travellers throughout the season.
According to Oman News Agency, the national carrier also transported 270,000 passengers between mid-June and mid-September, marking a 9 percent increase compared with the same period in 2025, with June recording the strongest performance at a growth rate of 24 percent compared with the corresponding period last year.
In response to rising demand during August, the national carrier operated up to 15 daily flights to Salalah, including additional services using its Boeing 787-9 wide-body aircraft to provide further seating capacity.
The carrier reinforced its regional network in July by launching three weekly flights between Dubai and Salalah, through which it provided more than 4,900 additional seats per month and afforded thousands of guests direct access to the Governorate, in addition to operating charter flights from Bahrain during July and August, thereby opening new horizons for inbound tourism.
Nasser Al Sharji, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, explained that the company, as a pivotal partner in developing the tourism sector in the Sultanate of Oman, is committed to stimulating visitor traffic, enhancing the air connectivity network, and supporting local economic growth. On this basis, the company was keen during this year's Khareef season to raise capacity and provide additional flight services to grant travellers wider options for visiting Salalah.
He added that supporting growth in domestic destinations such as Salalah is a national priority to which the company is committed, and that it will continue its efforts to connect more travellers with destinations that make the Sultanate of Oman an exceptional destination.
He affirmed that Oman Air will continue to focus on supporting the Governorate of Dhofar as a vibrant tourist destination throughout the year, noting that flights on Dubai-Salalah route will continue to connect the Governorate with regional markets, while the company is studying new opportunities to expand the scope of its network, alongside its current efforts to resume charter flight services between Moscow and Salalah, which are expected to contribute to boosting tourist traffic to the Governorate of Dhofar.
