Oman’s low-cost SalamAir to add 10...

Budget flights taking off as airline carries 20% more passengers in 2024

After a 20% increase in passenger numbers, reaching 3.2 million in 2024, Oman-based low-cost carrier SalamAir will add 10 aircraft to its fleet to meet growing demand.

The airline will receive two new A321 aircraft in 2025 to take the fleet size to 15. SalamAir then plans to lease 10 Airbus A320 aircraft over the next three years. The 10 additional aircraft will see the fleet grow to 25 A320s by 2028.

Adrian Hamilton-Manns, CEO of SalamAir, said: “Our expansion over the next five years requires more aircraft to enable us to develop more domestic and regional flights, and to introduce destinations that are currently unserved by airlines. We see other airlines attempting to move to this market due to the obvious demand that exists; this is positive as competition will reduce fares and benefit the consumer.”

Part of SalamAir’s success has been offering year-round low fares to domestic destinations, with prices starting at less than US$26.

Added connectivity to Salalah on the south coast of Oman from Baghdad and Bahrain has been particularly popular with travellers keen to experience the Khareef season.

In July 2024, SalamAir announced two new destinations in India, Bengaluru and Mumbai, with flights commencing in September. These brought SalamAir’s total number of Indian destinations to eight.

Hamilton-Manns said the Indian subcontinent is a key region for SalamAir. Mumbai and Bengaluru joined recently launched routes to Delhi and Chennai in India, and Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan.

SalamAir also introduced new seasonal destinations connecting Sohar, Fujairah, Baghdad, and Bahrain to Salalah and operates direct flights to Baku, Almaty, Tirana, and Trabzon.

Passengers who bank with Bank Muscat can pay for flights with a 12-month interest-free payment plan service through the SalamAir website or app.

SalamAir commenced operations in 2017 and serves six domestic destinations in Oman and 39 cities in 18 countries.

For more information, visit www.salamair.com

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