Oman Air Elevates Salalah Tourism With 270,000 Passengers During Khareef Season As Regional Air Connectivity Expands

Between June and September of this year, Oman Air reported transporting 270,000 passengers to Salalah, showing an 8% annual increase. With additional flights this year, the airline served an increased passenger demand for Salalah’s monsoon tourism season. With more flights this year, Oman Air was able to increase their market share to Salalah.

The recent improvement of Salalah’s air connections to the Gulf has given greater options to visitors from the GCC to enjoy Khareef season and Salalah’s transformation into an attractive summer tourist destination. The rise in passengers on routes served by Oman Air also demonstrates that more tourists from the international markets are visiting Salalah. This also shows the positive impact that the expansion of Air Oman’s services is having on the tourism and economic transformation of the Dhofar region of Oman.

Key Oman Air Khareef Season Performance Highlights

Category	Details
Passenger traffic	270,000 passengers carried to Salalah
Growth compared with previous year	9% increase
Period covered	Mid-June to mid-September
June passenger growth	24% increase
Overall seat capacity growth	16% increase
Peak daily operations	Up to 15 flights per day in August
Aircraft deployment	Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on selected services
New regional connectivity	Dubai-Salalah direct flights
Additional regional capacity	More than 4,900 seats per month from Dubai services
Charter operations	Bahrain-Salalah flights during July and August

Early Khareef Demand Creates Strong Passenger Surge For Salalah

Oman Air experienced a significant increase in travel demand at the beginning of the Khareef season, with passenger traffic rising by 24% in June alone. The early surge demonstrated the growing popularity of Salalah as a summer escape destination. While many destinations across the Arabian Peninsula experience high temperatures during summer, Salalah benefits from the southwest monsoon season, locally known as Khareef, which creates a cooler and greener environment.

The seasonal transformation has made Dhofar a major tourism attraction for families, nature travellers and regional holidaymakers. Visitors are drawn to the region’s mountains, valleys, waterfalls, beaches and cultural experiences during the limited Khareef period. The increase in early-season travel also encouraged Oman Air to strengthen its operational planning and increase available capacity before the busiest months of July and August.

Oman Air Expands Capacity With 16% More Seats And Larger Aircraft

To manage rising demand, Oman Air increased its total seat capacity to Salalah by 16% compared with the previous year. The airline expanded operations during the peak travel period, particularly in August when passenger demand reached its highest levels. During this period, Oman Air operated up to 15 daily flights to Salalah, providing additional options for travellers.

A major feature of the seasonal operation was the deployment of wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on selected flights. The use of larger aircraft allowed the airline to carry more passengers efficiently while supporting increased demand during the short but extremely busy tourism season.

The deployment of wide-body aircraft on high-demand seasonal routes demonstrates how airlines adjust fleet utilisation to match tourism patterns. Instead of relying only on traditional domestic aircraft capacity, Oman Air used larger aircraft to support the movement of thousands of additional visitors. Salalah International Airport plays a central role in handling the seasonal increase, serving as the main aviation gateway for Dhofar tourism.

Dubai And Bahrain Connections Strengthen GCC Tourism Access To Salalah

Oman Air expanded Salalah’s regional accessibility by adding new connections from key GCC markets during the Khareef season. From July, the airline introduced three weekly direct flights between Dubai and Salalah. These services provided more convenient travel options for visitors from the United Arab Emirates and added more than 4,900 extra seats every month.

The Dubai connection was particularly important because Dubai serves as one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, offering extensive connectivity for regional and international travellers. By creating a direct link between Dubai and Salalah, Oman Air reduced travel barriers for visitors who wanted to experience Dhofar’s seasonal attractions without requiring additional connections.

The airline also operated scheduled charter flights between Bahrain and Salalah during July and August. These services supported demand from Bahrain and strengthened the flow of GCC visitors during the busiest tourism months. The expansion of direct regional services supports Oman’s objective of improving international access to tourism destinations beyond Muscat and encouraging more visitors to explore different regions of the country.

Khareef Season Turns Salalah Into A Unique Gulf Tourism Destination

The Khareef season remains one of Oman’s most distinctive tourism experiences. Running approximately from June to September, the seasonal monsoon transforms Dhofar into a green landscape rarely seen elsewhere in the Arabian Peninsula.

During this period, visitors experience:

• Mist-covered mountains
• Green hills and valleys
• Seasonal waterfalls
• Cooler weather conditions
• Nature-based tourism experiences
• Cultural attractions across Dhofar

The region’s unique climate creates a strong seasonal identity and attracts travellers who seek alternatives to traditional summer beach holidays. Popular areas around Salalah include mountain viewpoints, natural springs, valleys and coastal attractions. The combination of nature, heritage and climate has helped Salalah develop into one of the Middle East’s leading seasonal tourism destinations.

Aviation Expansion Supports Dhofar’s Tourism Economy

The increase in Oman Air passenger numbers has wider economic significance for Dhofar. Tourism growth supports multiple sectors, including hotels, restaurants, transport services, retail businesses and local tourism operators. Higher visitor arrivals during Khareef create additional demand for accommodation and experiences while supporting employment opportunities throughout the tourism ecosystem.

The expansion of air connectivity also aligns with Oman’s broader economic diversification goals under Vision 2040. Tourism development is a key pillar of Oman’s strategy to increase non-oil economic activity and strengthen regional growth. Improved aviation links allow destinations such as Salalah to attract more visitors while creating stronger connections between local communities and international markets.

Oman Air Strengthens Salalah’s Position As A Regional Tourism Hub

The transportation of 270,000 passengers by Oman Air during Khareef 2022 is evidence of the growth of the Salalah tourism industry and of the growing interest in seasonal tourism in Dhofar. For this year’s Khareef season, the airline helped increase tourism capacity through an expansion of its operations in the GCC, through charter flights, and through the operation of larger aircraft.

The development of Salalah’s air links is an indication of the interest in seasonal tourism in the region. As Sultanate of Oman invests in its tourism and transport related infrastructure, Salalah is placing itself as a preferred, alternative, year round destination in the Gulf.