Enhancing domestic connectivity: A strategic move by Oman CAA

In a timely and forward-looking initiative, Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced a plan to grant temporary domestic air permits on the Muscat–Salalah and Suhar–Salalah routes during the country’s peak travel seasons in 2025–2026. Covering the Khareef summer (July–August 2025) and winter holiday period (December 2025–January 2026), this decision is far more than a seasonal adjustment — it represents a bold and necessary step to resolve longstanding air travel constraints and support Oman’s broader strategic ambitions.

ADDRESSING A PERSISTENT PROBLEM

For decades, Oman’s domestic aviation network has been shaped by necessity and geography. Since the founding of Oman Air in 1993, the Muscat–Salalah route has remained the nation’s busiest and most critical domestic air corridor.

The 1,000+ km distance between the capital and Salalah leaves most travellers with just two choices: fly or embark on a long, exhausting road journey.

Yet during high-demand periods — particularly the Khareef monsoon season, when Dhofar’s landscape transforms into a lush green haven — flight availability shrinks while prices soar. Despite Oman Air and SalamAir deploying wide-body aircraft and operating up to 26 daily flights, the demand has often outpaced supply. In 2024 alone, more than 1 million tourists visited Dhofar during Khareef, with over 253,000 arriving by air.

Limited seat availability has led to sky-high fares, with last-minute one-way tickets sometimes exceeding RO 100 ($260) — a steep cost for a 1.5-hour flight. Government interventions have helped: in 2023, Royal directives capped round-trip fares for Omanis at RO 54, and fuel subsidies were offered to airlines at Salalah Airport.

But despite these measures, the problem persisted. Many Omanis have had to forgo travel plans, while the tourism industry in Salalah reports significant losses from potential visitors who simply couldn’t reach the city.

EMPOWERING TOURISM AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

This new CAA initiative could unlock Salalah’s full tourism potential. The region is Oman’s tourism crown jewel — especially during Khareef — attracting GCC visitors, families, and nature enthusiasts. Beyond the monsoon, Salalah also appeals to winter tourists seeking sun, heritage, and coastal scenery.

The aviation bottleneck, however, has been a longstanding obstacle. Hoteliers, tour operators, and small businesses in Dhofar Governorate have all stressed the need for better accessibility.

The decision to allow charter operators, leasing firms, and eligible international and domestic carriers to enter the market temporarily will bring much-needed competition, additional seat capacity, and fare relief. This policy also comes at a time when Oman is prioritising tourism as a pillar of economic diversification, aligned with Oman Vision 2040. Encouraging broader access to Salalah will generate more jobs, stimulate domestic spending, and elevate the Sultanate of Oman’s global tourism profile.

SUHAR: THE EMERGING NORTHERN HUB

The CAA’s inclusion of the Suhar–Salalah route is particularly strategic. Suhar, in Al Batinah North Governorate, has transformed into a major industrial and logistics centre.

Home to a rapidly expanding port, free zone, and a growing population, Suhar’s airport — inaugurated in 2014 — has become a key asset in northern Oman.

By enabling direct flights between Suhar and Salalah during peak periods, the CAA is not only decentralising air traffic from Muscat but also promoting regional integration. It’s a move that reflects the government’s broader goal of achieving balanced development across governorates, ensuring mobility, connectivity, and economic growth outside the capital. Moreover, the Suhar Airport can absorb seasonal surges without placing additional strain on Muscat International Airport. In the long term, this route could grow into a permanent fixture if demand remains strong, making Suhar a secondary aviation hub.

LEARNING FROM GLOBAL EXAMPLES

Oman is not the first country to use regulatory flexibility to address travel bottlenecks. In 2025, Saudi Arabia began allowing foreign-registered charter operators to fly domestic routes. Similarly, during Haj season, Saudi regulators require Saudia to operate dozens of additional flights between cities like Jeddah and Medina.

For decades, Oman’s domestic aviation network has been shaped by necessity and geography. Since the founding of Oman Air in 1993, the Muscat–Salalah route has remained the nation’s busiest and most critical domestic air corridor.