Oman Air to operate record number of flights to Salalah
This year Oman Air will operate a record 284 return flights from Muscat to Salalah. This represents an 11 per cent increase compared to 2014
Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Air is set to increase its flights between Muscat and Salalah during southern Oman’s monsoon season, known as the Khareef. The busier schedule will mean that Oman Air operates more flights to Salalah than ever before. The Khareef season, which brings cooling rains and an outpouring of colourful plant and animal life between June and September, is a major attraction for tourists from all over the Gulf region. For many years, Oman Air has increased the number of flights it offers to Salalah during this period.
Between June and September, Oman Air will operate a record 284 return flights from Muscat to Salalah. This represents an 11 per cent increase in flights compared with 2014, and also means that as many as 352,738 passengers will have the opportunity to fly with Oman Air to Salalah. Chief Operating Officer for Oman Air, Abdulrahman Al-Busaidy, said, “Salalah is one of the most important destinations within Oman Air’s network, and we are delighted to be offering more air travellers than ever before the opportunity to visit this wonderful city.
“Throughout the Khareef, visitors are drawn to Salalah and the surrounding Dhofar region to experience its cool temperatures and stunning scenery. Oman Air is proud to have supported, for many years, the growing popularity of the area, by offering unrivalled access to Salalah.
New aircraft
“Each year has seen us operate more flights to the city and, this season, we will not only utilise regional and narrow-body aircraft on the route, but also our awardwinning Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft. We will be able to bring a record number of visitors to Salalah, and offer them the ultimate passenger experience en route.
This year, passengers can also check-in directly to Salalah, irrespective of where they are starting their journey from, on the Oman Air network. They no longer have to clear baggage and recheck-in at Muscat International Airport
“Tickets can be booked through local travel agents, or online at www.omanair.com. You will also find a range of outstanding packages on our website, offered in partnership with some of Salalah’s finest hotels. Demand is expected to be high and we advise early booking to avoid disappointment.”
In 2014, 84 per cent of the additional seats Oman Air offered during the Khareef were purchased. As a result, more than 11,000 more visitors arrived in the region than in the previous year. And many travelled not only from other ar- eas of the Middle East, but also from as far away as Europe and South-East Asia.
Salalah is the principal city in Oman’s most southerly Governorate, Dhofar. Salalah and its surrounding area is rich in history and visitors can explore historic sites, such as Job’s Tomb; one of the lost palaces of the Queen of Sheba; the blow holes of Mugsail; the frankincense trail and others. Dhofar is also the centre of the ancient frankincense trade. Its tradition of commerce is today reflected in the growth of the Port of Salalah and the increasing importance of Salalah Airport as a hub for Oman Air’s cargo operations.