Salalah is likely to see more visitors this khareef season due to better air connectivity and increased frequency of flights from different destinations. The latest service of SalamAir from Salalah to Suhar has excited visitors from both the governorates of Al Batinah. The airline has introduced three weekly flights on the sector. Depending upon demand more flights are likely to be added.
The national carrier Oman Air has increased daily frequency from eight to 13 flights and most of the flights are operating full from both the destinations.
The number of Oman Air flights on Muscat-Salalah sector varies from eight to 18 daily, depending on demand. Normally it has eight flights daily which goes up to 12 when demand is high and during the peak (khareef) season it goes up to 18 flights.
The boost in flight operations is getting stronger with every passing season as the aviation scene is picking up in Salalah with the operation of new airlines, while many more are still exploring the possibility. The interest shown by the airlines substantiates the government’s projections which states 40 per cent increase in air traffic demand by 2019.
Flydubai has lined up 11 weekly flights in July and 14 in August and September to meet the demand of visitors from the UAE. Air Arabia also has regular weekly flights from Sharjah.
Otherwise also, the general aviation scene in Salalah is picking up. Not many years ago, Salalah only had a few Oman Air Muscat-Salalah-Muscat flights daily and Air India flights were operating to two South Indian destinations weekly from the old airport. One or two charter flights from some Scandinavian countries would excite the local taxi operators and tour managers.
The scene started changing from 2013 when Qatar Airways and Flydubai began Salalah operations and opened new vistas in the sector. The residents of Salalah now have more options to fly directly to new destinations, while there is greater opportunity for the visitors from GCC countries to explore Salalah.
By 2016 there were not less than 83 weekly flights operating from new Salalah Airport including 10-12 weekly charter flights coming from different European destinations. The numbers are likely to go up this year with the scheduled operation of SalamAir and Salalah Air.
Operating as a low cost carrier, SalamAir is the game changer due to its price tag for Salalah-Muscat and Salalah-Suhar sectors. SalamAir is the first domestic low cost carrier in Oman.
“If allowed to fly on Salalah-Dubai sector, the airlines would surely be a great value addition as both inbound and outbound traffic would increase due to likely cheap fares,” said a Salalah-based travel agent.
Salalah Air is waiting in the wings to start its operations. The first private carrier of Oman has ambitious plans to start charter operations to several destinations in the region.
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