Oman Air closed 2025 with a robust commercial performance, driven by steady network expansion and disciplined management. The airline carried 5.8 million passengers last year, marking an 8% increase over 2024 and a significant 57% jump compared to 2022 — a pace well ahead of the overall aviation market.

Notably, point-to-point travel accounted for 64% of all passengers, with visitors flying directly into Oman growing by an exceptional 34% year-on-year — the strongest increase recorded to date.

Improved operational efficiency and smarter route planning also helped Oman Air maximize capacity. The airline’s load factor climbed from 76% in 2024 to 82% in 2025 — a 6% annual gain and a 26% rise versus 2022 — reflecting more effective use of resources and tighter revenue management.

Throughout the year, the carrier broadened its global footprint by launching new destinations, upping flight frequencies, and expanding its codeshare network. Its entry into the oneworld Alliance in mid-2025 instantly extended its reach to more than 900 cities worldwide.

Newly launched direct connections to Amsterdam, Taif, Singapore, Baghdad, and Copenhagen further strengthened Oman’s international air links and economic ties.

Commenting on the results, Oman Air CEO Con Korfiatis said the airline’s improving performance reflects the tangible impact of its transformation strategy. “We are seeing the results of focusing on smarter commercial practices, better resource allocation, and a stronger customer focus.

These outcomes confirm we’re not only attracting more travellers but doing so profitably, creating lasting value for Oman Air and the nation it represents,” he said.

Boosting Domestic Connectivity

Oman Air continued to enhance its domestic services throughout 2025, particularly to Salalah. The Muscat–Salalah route saw a 17% increase in available seats compared with 2024 and a 19% rise compared with 2022. Passenger numbers on the route grew by 19% year-on-year and 36% against 2022, showing healthy demand for domestic air travel.

The airline also launched its first charter flights from Moscow to Salalah, with additional Russian and European routes scheduled for rollout in the next two years. These services are projected to attract as many as 580,000 new tourists to Salalah by 2030, generating more than OMR 320 million in tourism revenue.

At the same time, Oman Air remains committed to keeping travel affordable for citizens. It continues to maintain fixed, capped fares between Muscat and Salalah, even during the busy khareef season, and adds extra capacity during high-demand periods to ensure accessibility.

Continued Progress Toward Financial Goals

Oman Air’s transformation programme, launched in 2023, aims to steer the airline toward financial breakeven while raising operational standards and service quality to global levels.

The carrier remains on track to achieve profitability ahead of schedule and continues to focus on sustaining momentum through improved efficiency, better customer experience, and stronger partnerships — reinforcing its role as a key driver of Oman’s aviation and tourism growth.

Riyadh Air and Saudia have announced the implementation of the first phase of their Strategic Cooperation Agreement, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity under Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy.

The partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023 and enables the two airlines to expand travel options for domestic and international passengers.

As part of the first phase, Riyadh Air has established a connection with Saudia’s Passenger Service System (PSS), allowing the carriers to implement their codeshare across their respective technology platforms.

Under the RX-SV codeshare, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” designator on selected Saudia-operated flights from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to six domestic destinations: Abha, Al Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk.

The agreement will give Riyadh Air passengers access to additional destinations worldwide through convenient connections in Riyadh. For example, travelers from Dammam can connect via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket, while passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur can connect through Riyadh to Medina.

By using Saudia’s frequent services between Riyadh and the six codeshare destinations, Riyadh Air will offer passengers more convenient connections aligned with the arrival and departure schedules of its flights at Riyadh.

Both airlines operate within the King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1-4 complex, enabling passengers to benefit from streamlined connections, single-ticket journeys and through-checked baggage to their final destinations.

The first phase represents a significant step toward deeper cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers and supports the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to expand its global aviation network.

Source: aaco.org

SalamAir has announced the establishment of Salalah’s first-ever airline base, marking a major step in the airline’s expansion and strengthening direct international connectivity from Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.

The new Salalah-based operation will initially serve three international destinations: Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India. Bookings opened on August 26, with flights scheduled to begin from the end of October as part of SalamAir’s Winter 2026 schedule.

The base follows SalamAir’s expanded operations during the 2026 Khareef season, when the airline increased capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route to as many as 15 daily flights during peak periods.

The airline also introduced special domestic fares for Omani nationals, with one-way tickets starting from OMR 9.99, supporting affordable travel between Muscat and Salalah.

The new base is expected to extend SalamAir’s role beyond the Khareef season by supporting year-round travel demand among residents and expatriate communities in Dhofar while offering more direct access to key regional and international destinations.

Operations from Salalah will be supported by SalamAir’s Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet. The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, providing additional flexibility to support growing demand across its network.

During the winter season, SalamAir will also operate charter flights linking Salalah with Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, supporting inbound tourism from Central Asia.

The Salalah base forms part of SalamAir’s wider strategy to expand its network from key airports across Oman, develop underserved markets and stimulate new travel demand while supporting the growth of the Sultanate’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Source: ZAWYA