Shura member raises matter of Salalah airfares

Muscat: The issue of high fares to Salalah was one of the main topics discussed at Majlis A Shura in its sixteenth regular session for the fourth annual sitting for the year (2022/2023).

As of now, it may be noted that the one-way fares on Oman Air start from RO43 while that on the budget-airline SalamAir start from RO29, dropping to RO24 on some days.

Oman Air, SalamAir, AirArabia, FlyDubai, Air India Express, PIA, Qatar Airways, Saudia, and the seasonal flights of Flynas, Jazeera Airways, and Kuwait Airways operate flights to Salalah.

During the session, Youssef bin Salem al Mashikhi, a Shura representative of Rakhyut, said in a statement that apart from airfares, there are some challenges and drawbacks at Salalah Airport, including the lack of some facilities, which must be addressed to increase air traffic.

He said that the airport must be equipped with engineers, technicians, and equipment for maintenance and servicing aircraft of all types and sizes, and a catering kitchen to prepare meals for domestic and international foreign flights.

He called for a reduction in fees and rents imposed on airlines, whether in the air or on the ground, to get more flights to Salalah International Airport.

Mashikhi called on the authorities and decision-makers to study the reason for such fares, which may be caused by the high service fees and taxes imposed by Oman Airports and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on domestic passengers, starting from booking the ticket until they exit the airport building.

He said the price of aviation fuel at Salalah Airport is not the only reason for the high airfares because an aircraft can fill fuel from Muscat Airport and return without filling it in Salalah.

"High operational costs make Salalah Airport non-competitive with other regional airports, along with the lack of assets, facilities, and investments on the part of Oman Air."

He added also pointed out low ticket prices for some international destinations operated by Oman Air and SalamAir, despite the long distance and duration of these flights.