A1 Packages for Khasab, Salalah and Ras Al Jinz

“We have still not finalised some of the cancellation requests we’ve received in case people come back to us to suggest an alternative or want to rebook on other days,” Khan said.

“Outbound travellers though have not cancelled tickets with us, because they are travelling for personal reasons: if they have to go, then they have to go, so they have just asked us to book them on the next available flight,” Khan explained.

This is traditionally the peak time for tourists to come into Oman, and hotels had seen an increase in overseas bookings despite the pandemic, after airports in the country had reopened to international scheduled flights. However, airlines and travel agencies in the country are attempting to promote domestic tourism by advertising packages to places such as Khasab, Salalah and Ras Al Jinz.

Overseas

People waiting in the country to travel overseas said they were in touch with airlines for updates regarding the current situation, and had made plans to travel at the earliest available opportunity.

“I tried to get a flight to Doha to be with my family before the closure took effect, but I could not find a flight on time,” admitted an Omani national. “I will have to wait for at least a week now.”

“I was expected to fly out on 27 December, but my airline has asked me to wait until at least the 30th so that I might be able to fly then. My landlord has allowed me to stay in my house until 31 December, and I have made arrangements to move in with a friend if I need to wait longer to fly out,” an Indian expat added.