The organization that runs Oman’s airports is trying to persuade carriers that have operated charter flights to the sultanate to upgrade them to scheduled services.
Oman Airports Management Co. (OAMC) is particularly keen to find more operators to fly into Salalah, the country’s second city, near the Yemeni border. Salalah has become increasingly popular with tourists from the Middle East over the past decade as it catches the edge of the Indian Ocean monsoon, bringing mist, drizzle and cool temperatures when the rest of the Arabian Peninsula is hitting 110F (43C) or higher.
Salalah airport’s traffic is highly seasonal; several Omani and regional airlines put on additional services to bring in passengers during the monsoon, or khareef, in early summer, but flights drop off thereafter. In winter, the airport attracts some mid-haul charter flights, notably from Eastern Europe.
Routes affiliate Aviation Daily understands that OAMC is collaborating with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, with a particular focus on promoting Salalah. It is also engaged in discussions with airlines from countries that operate numerous charter flights, with the objective of transitioning them into scheduled flights.
It is understood that combination of late deliveries of long-range versions of the Airbus A321 to certain European carriers, together with powerplant problems on the aircraft, have led them to defer decisions on whether to introduce direct flights to Salalah.
To mitigate this problem, the Arab nation has been increasingly looking east for more tourist traffic. Oman introduced a visa waiver program for up to 14 days for 103 countries in 2021, which has encouraged tourists, notably from India and China.
Oman is a favorite destination for Indian wedding parties, which can go on for several days. Additionally, the number of Chinese visitors grew by double-digit margins year-on-year following promotion of the Arab nation in China.
One factor behind the general increase in tourism figures is said to be that Oman has been listed in the world’s “Top ten safest countries” for the past two decades. Oman has traditionally played a mediating role in disputes between nations; it is, for example, regarded as an honest broker by regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Another factor that may increase tourist flows is national carrier Oman Air’s formal accession to the OneWorld alliance, which is scheduled to take place early in 2024 and which OAMC hopes may encourage more services.
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