155 green zones for drone flying by tourists in Oman

MUSCAT: Omani drone startup Serb, which operates the country’s Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) platform on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), has announced that a total of 155 tourist locations around the Sultanate of Oman have been designated as ‘green zones’, making them safe for drone flying by visiting tourists and hobbyists.
The move is expected to enhance Oman’s appeal among a growing number of international visitors who travel with drones to capture breathtaking aerial perspectives that go beyond what traditional cameras can offer. According to experts, a drone not only provides the freedom to create immersive travel content — from panoramic videos to cinematic reels ideal for sharing on social media or personal travel logs — but also helps travellers appreciate the geography and scale of a location, plan routes and explore safely from above.
“Oman opens its skies to visitors”, the Muscat-based company, which is backed by the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) through Future Fund Oman (FFO), announced in a recent post. “Tourists can now bring their drones legally into Oman. With Serb’s AirPass, visitors can register, license and fly in designated Green Zones, safely and hassle-free. This step blends tourism with technology, letting travellers capture Oman’s beauty from above while staying compliant”.
According to Serb, tourists planning to travel to Oman with their drones can apply via its digital platform for an ‘AirPass’ that comes bundled with a drone licence, a letter authorising the import of the drone, flight zone access and safety training certification. Both Muscat and Salalah International Airports have been prepared to receive drone enthusiasts equipped with an AirPass obtained through the Serb platform.
Significantly, listed among the 155 green zones — and counting — are scenic spots in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, Ras Al Hadd and Salalah, among other natural, historical and geological attractions. Several hundred additional candidate sites are currently being vetted by the authorities before they are added to the list.
Launched earlier this year, the Serb platform aims to enhance air navigation safety, regulate drone usage and streamline the permitting process for drone operators. Aligned with Oman Vision 2040, the initiative also seeks to foster innovation in drone technology and support the wider use of drones across the economy.
In support of this initiative, Serb says it plans to onboard around 5,000 drone pilots initially to help build a comprehensive drone management ecosystem in the Sultanate of Oman. To this end, the startup is collaborating with 13 government entities to develop the requisite regulatory framework underpinning the platform. Once fully operational, the platform will offer a range of services, including safe zone identification to help drone operators locate authorised areas for activities, a registration portal to simplify drone registration and permit acquisition, air traffic management capabilities to ensure safe integration into existing airspace and environmental protection compliance mechanisms to uphold safety standards for people, property and the natural environment.