SalamAir Opens Salalah’s First Airline Base To Transform Oman Tourism With Saudi Arabia, India And More Flights

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SalamAir Opens Salalah’s First Airline Base To Transform Oman Tourism with new global links.
Salamah Tourism is set for a transformation thanks to the new airline base being opened by SalamAir, which will bring new opportunities for international travel.
The new base will open up new destinations for international airlines, and also help position Dhofar as a year-round tourism destination.
Salama will have direct flights to Saudi Arabia, India and Bangladesh, which will give the region greater global connectivity and boost Oman’s growing tourism ambitions.

The move represents a significant expansion step for Oman’s low-cost aviation sector, as Salalah is positioned to become a stronger gateway for international travellers seeking access to Dhofar’s natural landscapes, cultural attractions and famous Khareef season experiences.

SalamAir Creates New Travel Gateway From Salalah

A new chapter in Oman’s travel connectivity has begun with the establishment of SalamAir’s first airline base in Salalah. The operation is expected to begin from the end of October as part of the airline’s Winter 2026 schedule, creating a permanent aviation presence in Dhofar rather than relying only on seasonal capacity increases.

The Salalah-based operation will initially connect travellers with three international destinations. Direct flights will be introduced to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India. These new routes are expected to improve access for tourists, residents and expatriate communities by reducing the need for additional connections through other airports.

For international visitors, the expansion creates a more convenient pathway to explore Salalah, one of Oman’s most unique tourism regions. Dhofar is widely recognised for its seasonal Khareef climate, green mountains, waterfalls, beaches and cultural heritage, making it an important destination within Oman’s tourism landscape.

By positioning aircraft and operations directly in Salalah, SalamAir is expected to provide greater flexibility in managing demand and expanding travel options from the region.

New International Flights To Support Oman Tourism Growth

The launch of the Salalah airline base comes at a time when tourism demand in Dhofar continues to increase. The region attracts thousands of visitors during the Khareef season, when monsoon conditions transform the normally dry landscape into a green destination filled with natural attractions.

To support increased visitor movement during the 2026 Khareef season, SalamAir expanded capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route, operating up to 15 daily flights during peak demand periods and adding thousands of additional seats.

The increased flight capacity helped strengthen domestic travel access while supporting the movement of tourists arriving in Salalah. Affordable travel options were also introduced, with special fares for Omani nationals offering one-way journeys from OMR 9.99, helping make travel between Muscat and Salalah more accessible.

With the new base, the benefits are expected to continue beyond the seasonal tourism peak. Year-round international connectivity could encourage longer stays, support local businesses and provide more opportunities for hotels, tour operators, restaurants and other tourism-related industries.

Saudi Arabia, India And Bangladesh Become Key Connections

The first destinations from the Salalah base have been selected to strengthen links with important regional travel markets. Flights to Jeddah will improve connectivity with Saudi Arabia, while services to Chattogram and Calicut will enhance access between Dhofar and South Asian markets.

These connections are expected to benefit multiple traveller groups. Tourists from these markets will gain easier access to Salalah’s attractions, while residents and expatriate communities in Dhofar will receive more direct travel options.

India represents an important tourism and aviation market for Oman, with strong travel links already existing between both countries. The addition of Calicut services is expected to further support passenger movement between Kerala and Dhofar.

Similarly, direct connectivity with Bangladesh through Chattogram could strengthen travel opportunities for business travellers, families and visitors seeking convenient connections to Oman.

The Jeddah route also provides an important regional link, connecting Salalah with one of Saudi Arabia’s major cities and expanding opportunities for tourism and business travel.

Salalah Moves Towards Year-Round Tourism Destination

Historically, Salalah’s tourism demand has been strongly connected with the Khareef season. However, the establishment of a dedicated airline base signals a shift towards developing Dhofar as a destination that can attract visitors throughout the year.

Improved air connectivity can help promote Salalah’s attractions beyond the monsoon months. The region offers beaches, mountains, archaeological sites, traditional markets and outdoor experiences that can appeal to international travellers across different seasons.

The availability of direct international flights may also encourage more travellers to include Salalah in wider Oman itineraries. Visitors arriving through new routes could combine Dhofar experiences with trips to other parts of the country, supporting broader tourism growth.

For local communities, stronger aviation links could create economic opportunities by increasing visitor spending and supporting employment across hospitality, transport and tourism services.

Modern Aircraft Fleet To Support Salalah Operations

SalamAir’s new Salalah operations will be supported by its Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft fleet. The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, providing additional capacity and flexibility to respond to changing passenger demand across its network.

The use of modern aircraft is expected to support efficient operations while allowing the airline to adjust schedules according to seasonal and market requirements.

As Oman continues to invest in tourism growth and international accessibility, stronger aviation infrastructure is becoming a key factor in attracting global travellers. The new Salalah base reflects the growing importance of regional airports in expanding tourism opportunities.

A New Aviation Milestone For Dhofar Tourism

The opening of SalamAir’s Salalah base represents more than an airline expansion. It marks a major development in Oman’s tourism connectivity strategy by creating stronger international links from Dhofar.

With direct flights to Saudi Arabia, India and Bangladesh, improved domestic accessibility and year-round operations, Salalah is set to become a more connected destination for global travellers.

SalamAir: Salalah’s First Airline Base To Reshape Oman’s Tourism Using Direct International Flights And Global Connectivity

Direct flights and the number of international airlines at each destination have a huge influence on the level of demand on international tourism. SalamAir’s Salalah base shows a huge commitment to build up the future of aviation in the region and will give Dhofar a chance to develop its tourism sector further from Oman. It will also create opportunities for travellers through the regional and international markets.