4 European airlines launch direct flights to Salalah in Oman

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Salalah, the gateway to Oman’s southern Dhofar region, is set for a record-breaking winter as four European airlines unveil flight connections between Salalah and Italy, Switzerland, Hungary and Belarus.

Launching October 2025, these new seasonal services, including three charter flights, are strategically timed to drive tourist arrivals for Dhofar’s famed winter and Khareef seasons, celebrated for its cool climate, lush landscapes and vibrant local culture.

According to Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT), charter arrivals surged 26% in 2024/25, delivering nearly 93,000 visitors and generating more than US$80 million in tourism receipts – a clear sign of Europe’s rising appetite for Oman’s natural beauty and authentic experiences.

Leading the wave, Italian carrier Neos Air now operates a weekly Sunday charter connecting Rome and Milan with Salalah, timed to leverage Italy’s growing interest in Oman — Italian arrivals surged 48% year-on-year in H1 2025.

The route departs Rome at 15:20, touching down in Salalah at 23:40.

Wadi Darbat in the Dhofar region of Oman

Hungary’s Smartwings has also launched a direct charter every Friday from Budapest, leaving the city at 06:10 and arriving in Salalah at 14:10.

Meanwhile, Belarus’ national carrier Belavia has introduced its first weekly charter, departing Minsk on Thursdays at 22:40 and arriving in Salalah early Friday morning, continuing through May 2026.

The charter programme coincides with the newly introduced Belarus-Oman mutual visa waiver, streamlining travel between the two nations.

Expanding beyond charters, Switzerland’s Edelweiss Air has rolled out twice-weekly seasonal flights from Zurich, with nine rotations in October, eight in November and nine in December, serving both independent travellers and tour groups.

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The service, which runs through May 2026, operates on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing Zurich at 22:30 before arriving in Salalah, via a short stop in Muscat, at 08:20 the next morning. The return flight departs Salalah at 09:25, arriving in Zurich early afternoon.

With its white-sand Arabian beaches, misty green mountains and Unesco-listed frankincense sites, Salalah offers a unique blend of natural beauty and heritage, from iconic spots such as Al Mughsail Beach to the cascading waters of Wadi Darbat and thriving historic souqs.

“Dhofar’s mild climate, lush landscapes and rich heritage are winning over European travellers,” commented Haitham bin Mohammed al Ghassani, Director of Tourism Promotion at Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, as Salalah Airport confirmed a 13.2% rise in passenger traffic and a 10% increase in aircraft movements for summer 2025, illustrating its growing role as the region’s primary tourism gateway.

Salalah reached new heights last Khareef, attracting more than 1 million visitors, a record backed by accelerating charter arrivals and enhanced marketing across Europe.

Looking ahead, Oman’s Vision 2040 sets ambitious national goals: the country expects to welcome 6 million overseas tourists by 2030 and 11.7 million annual visitors by 2040, reaffirming Oman’s place among the Middle East’s leading leisure destinations.

For more information, visit neosair.com