Latest news with #SalalahAirport
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Dhofar's Khareef Season boosted by new Saudi Airlines route
Muscat: Salalah Airport in Dhofar Governorate today welcomed the inaugural Saudi Airlines flight from Jeddah, marking the commencement of three weekly flights between Salalah and Jeddah throughout the 2025 Dhofar Khareef (monsoon) season. Eng. Zakariya bin Yaqub Al-Harasi, Deputy CEO of Salalah Airport, affirmed the airport's comprehensive readiness to receive travellers during the bustling Khareef season. He highlighted the participation of 12 local and international carriers and projected a significant surge in passenger traffic and flight operations compared to last year. This increase is attributed to continuous efforts to enhance operational efficiency, upgrade service quality, and streamline travel procedures. Passenger numbers are expected to exceed 900,000 this season, a substantial increase from 692,626 in the previous year, representing a nearly 37% rise. This growth underscores the increasing appeal of Dhofar's tourism season and the expansion of air connectivity. Al-Harasi further detailed the diverse origins of incoming visitors, stating that the majority of travellers (62.5%) will come from within Oman, followed by 35.7% from GCC countries, and 1.8% from India. Air traffic at Salalah Airport is also set for a notable increase of 36%, with over 5,000 inbound and outbound flights expected, up from 3,869 flights in 2024. A key milestone this season is the addition of Saudi Airlines to the roster of carriers operating direct flights to Salalah. This move significantly enhances connectivity and tourism ties between Oman and Saudi Arabia, offering travellers more options. Al-Harasi also highlighted Oman Airports' continued investment in digital services to improve the travel experience, including the "Safar As'hal" ('Travel Made Easier') initiative, now in its second year. This initiative features self-service kiosks, pre-check-in services, and information centres, all aimed at reducing wait times and streamlining processes. Meanwhile, His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's accredited ambassador to Oman, praised the occasion as a reflection of the wise leadership in both nations and their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He emphasized the economic, tourism, and cultural benefits of these air links in serving the mutual interests of the two countries. He noted that the inaugural Saudi flight to Salalah carried not only Saudi and Omani passengers but also travellers of various nationalities—underscoring the international dimension of this direct air route. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Dhofar's Khareef Season boosted by new Saudi Airlines route
Muscat: Salalah Airport in Dhofar Governorate today welcomed the inaugural Saudi Airlines flight from Jeddah, marking the commencement of three weekly flights between Salalah and Jeddah throughout the 2025 Dhofar Khareef (monsoon) season. Eng. Zakariya bin Yaqub Al-Harasi, Deputy CEO of Salalah Airport, affirmed the airport's comprehensive readiness to receive travellers during the bustling Khareef season. He highlighted the participation of 12 local and international carriers and projected a significant surge in passenger traffic and flight operations compared to last year. This increase is attributed to continuous efforts to enhance operational efficiency, upgrade service quality, and streamline travel procedures. Passenger numbers are expected to exceed 900,000 this season, a substantial increase from 692,626 in the previous year, representing a nearly 37% rise. This growth underscores the increasing appeal of Dhofar's tourism season and the expansion of air connectivity. Al-Harasi further detailed the diverse origins of incoming visitors, stating that the majority of travellers (62.5%) will come from within Oman, followed by 35.7% from GCC countries, and 1.8% from India. Air traffic at Salalah Airport is also set for a notable increase of 36%, with over 5,000 inbound and outbound flights expected, up from 3,869 flights in 2024. A key milestone this season is the addition of Saudi Airlines to the roster of carriers operating direct flights to Salalah. This move significantly enhances connectivity and tourism ties between Oman and Saudi Arabia, offering travellers more options. Al-Harasi also highlighted Oman Airports' continued investment in digital services to improve the travel experience, including the "Safar As'hal" ('Travel Made Easier') initiative, now in its second year. This initiative features self-service kiosks, pre-check-in services, and information centres, all aimed at reducing wait times and streamlining processes. Meanwhile, His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's accredited ambassador to Oman, praised the occasion as a reflection of the wise leadership in both nations and their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He emphasized the economic, tourism, and cultural benefits of these air links in serving the mutual interests of the two countries. He noted that the inaugural Saudi flight to Salalah carried not only Saudi and Omani passengers but also travellers of various nationalities—underscoring the international dimension of this direct air route.
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Muscat, Salalah airports see passenger growth as khareef approaches
Muscat – Passenger traffic at Oman's key airports continues to climb, pointing to a robust start to the summer travel season and growing momentum in the tourism sector. Oman Airports announced that Muscat International Airport recorded a 2% increase in passenger numbers in May this year compared to the same month last year, while Salalah Airport registered an impressive 6.2% growth, buoyed by anticipation of the upcoming khareef season in Dhofar. Number of flights in the two airports also rose by 3%, reflecting strong travel demand and growing interest in Oman as both a transit and tourist destination. The Dhofar Khareef, which spans from June 21 to September 20, transforms the southern region of Oman into a lush, green landscape with cool temperatures and misty rains. This unique natural phenomenon attracts thousands of visitors each year from across the Gulf, the Indian subcontinent, and beyond, eager to experience Dhofar's cool climate, waterfalls, and vibrant cultural festivals. In a statement, Oman Airports said, 'We are steadily moving towards enhancing the passenger experience, expanding our flight network, and solidifying Oman's position as a regional hub in the aviation world.' The positive trends come amid continued efforts by Oman Airports and tourism stakeholders to position the sultanate as a premier travel and tourism gateway in the region, capitalising on the growing popularity of the khareef season and other key attractions across the country.
Muscat Daily
5 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Muscat airport traffic falls; Salalah sees modest growth
Muscat – The total number of passengers passing through Oman's airports from January to April this year reached 4,701,055, marking a 4.1% drop compared to the same period last year when the figure stood at 4,901,855. Data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information showed that Muscat International Airport handled 4,222,789 passengers by the end of April, down 4.7% from 4,428,726 a year ago. Flights through Muscat also declined by 8.6% to 29,731, from 32,520 in the same period of 2024. In contrast, Salalah Airport recorded a 6.8% increase in passenger numbers, reaching 458,394 by April, up from 429,181 last year. However, the total number of flights dipped slightly by 0.2% to 2,974. Sohar Airport also saw sharp decline both in flight operations and the number of passengers reaching there by air. The number of flights in Suhar dropped by 62.5% to 72 from 192, while passenger numbers plummeted by 98.7% to just 307, compared to 23,842 last year. Duqm Airport also reported a slight decrease. Flights fell 1.9% to 204, while passengers dropped 2.7% to 19,565, down from 20,106. At Muscat International Airport, Indian nationals remained the largest group of travellers, with 182,628 passengers recorded till April this year. Omanis were the second most travellers with 101,087, followed by Pakistanis with 47,078 passengers.
Times of Oman
18-05-2025
- Times of Oman
Passengers travelling through Oman's airports exceed 3.5mn by end of March 2025
Muscat: The total number of passengers travelling through the airports of the Sultanate of Oman by the end of March 2025 reached 3,541,038, according to preliminary statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Meanwhile, the total number of flights landing and departing from the airports of the Sultanate of Oman by the end of March 2025 reached 24,719 flights. The number of passengers through Muscat International Airport by the end of March 2025 reached 3,183,817 passengers compared to 3,482,325 passengers during the same period in 2024, constituting a decrease of 8.6%. The number of flights through Muscat International Airport by the end of March 2025 reached 22,347 flights, decreasing by 11.3%, compared to 25,204 flights during the same period of the previous year. Indians topped the number of passengers through Muscat International Airport by the end of March 2025, with 79,641 passenger arrivals and 78,453 passenger departures, followed by Omani nationals reaching 29,575 incoming passengers and 28,612 departing passengers, and the Pakistani nationality with 16,263 arriving passengers and 23,719 departing passengers. By the end of March 2025, Salalah Airport recorded a total of 342,491 passengers, an increase of 5.4% compared to 325,035 passengers during the same period in 2024. This growth occurred despite a 5.3% decline in the number of flights, which dropped to 2,166 from 2,288 flights recorded in the corresponding period last year. Sohar Airport recorded a total of 307 passengers by the end of March 2025, a decline of 98.2% from 17,462 passengers during the same period in 2024. The number of flights also dropped significantly to 54, compared to 154 flights in the corresponding period last year, a decrease of 64.9%. Meanwhile, Duqm Airport experienced a slight decrease in flight operations, with a 2.6% drop by the end of March 2025, registering 152 flights compared to 156 flights during the same period last year. The number of passengers also declined by 7.1%, totaling 14,423 passengers compared to 15,532 passengers at the end of March 2024.
