Muscat: Oman Air, Oman’s national carrier, will operate 11 daily flights between Salalah and the Omani capital of Muscat, with a capacity increase of 15,000 seats compared to the previous year, said the national airline in a statement.
The airline has also deployed Boeing 737, Boeing 787 and Airbus 330 aircraft on the Salalah-Muscat-Salalah sectors will increase the availability of seats on the route.
The airline has increased frequencies to Salalah in previous years, but will this year offer an unprecedented number of seats to the increasingly popular destination, in response to rising demand, said Paul Gregorowitsch, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air.
The Dubai-Salalah route will witness the operation of one daily flight in the months of July and August. Furthermore, from September 1, Oman Air will deploy Boeing 737s on the Salalah to Dubai route, replacing smaller Embraer 175 regional jets, which are currently in use. This will enable increased numbers of customers from the UAE to enjoy both Oman Air’s outstanding passenger experience and the warm hospitality offered to visitors in Salalah.
From January to December 2015, a record of 52,274 seats was offered by Oman Air on flights between Salalah and Dubai. In 2016, Oman Air will increase that number to 74,176 seats (42 per cent), said Greorowitsch.
Important destination
The increased frequencies will be supported by a range of attractive special offers for customers travelling to Salalah from points throughout Oman Air growing international network.
The CEO of Oman Air, announced the expansion of services to Salalah, saying: “Salalah is becoming an increasingly important destination for visitors from the Gulf region and throughout Oman Air’s international network, especially during the Khareef season. We are therefore delighted to be expanding Oman Air’s services to the city this summer, from both Muscat and Dubai. In fact, we will be increasing the available number of seats on the Salalah-Dubai route alone by nearly 22,000”.
He added: “As a result, tens of thousands more travellers will have the opportunity to enjoy the area’s cool and refreshing weather, which contrasts so sharply with the hot, dry climate to be found elsewhere within the region. Visitors will also be able to make the most of Dhofar’s renowned hospitality, ancient culture and awe-inspiring landscapes”.
And to ensure that as many people as possible can experience this thrilling destination, Oman Air will be making a range of special offers available. These will enable customers to appreciate Oman Air’s award-winning interiors, on-board service and in-flight dining whilst flying from a range of destinations across our network at highly competitive prices. We look forward to announcing the details soon”, said Gregorowitsch.
Previous offers on flights to Salalah have included “Two fly for the price of one” tickets, short-term sales on Business Class and Economy Class fares, and a range of Economy Class promotional fares.
Visitors
The Khareef season runs from June to September and sees monsoon mists and rains sweep across the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. The cool, damp weather attracts thousands of visitors every year, especially from more northern parts of the Gulf region, where summer temperatures can rise to over 50 Celsius.
Salalah, a southern province of Oman, has experienced major year-on-year growth in visitor numbers in recent times. Increasing numbers of travellers from the Gulf, the Far East and Europe are visiting the city and its surrounding region, which offers a unique and ancient culture, dramatic mountain backdrops and unspoilt tropical beaches.
