Oman continued to strengthen its position as a key tourism hub in the Gulf and wider region in 2025, welcoming around 3.15 million inbound visitors during the first 10 months of the year, according to official data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The figures highlight sustained growth in cross-border travel, driven by strong regional connectivity, improved air access, and a growing global interest in Oman’s natural and cultural offerings.

UAE and India Remain Top Source Markets

Visitors from the United Arab Emirates topped the inbound list, reflecting Oman’s close geographic, economic, and cultural ties with its GCC neighbour. Indian travellers ranked second, underscoring India’s continued importance as a high-volume source market for leisure, business, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel.

Other notable inbound markets included Yemen and Saudi Arabia, reinforcing Oman’s appeal within the Arabian Peninsula, while Germany emerged as a leading European source, pointing to rising long-haul demand from Europe—particularly for nature-based and experiential tourism.

Balanced Growth Across Regional and Long-Haul Markets

The diversity of visitor nationalities highlights Oman’s balanced tourism strategy, which targets short-haul GCC travellers alongside Asian and European markets. Improved flight connectivity through Muscat and Salalah, competitive airline capacity, and streamlined entry procedures have supported this mix, helping to reduce reliance on any single market.

Hotel Sector Shows Steady Performance

Oman’s three- to five-star hotel segment recorded an average occupancy rate of over 53%, welcoming nearly 1.9 million guests who generated close to 2.9 million hotel nights. These figures indicate consistent demand across the country’s established accommodation base, particularly during peak travel seasons.

Regional performance varied, with Muscat leading occupancy levels, followed by strong results in North Al Sharqiyah and North Al Batinah, while Dhofar maintained moderate occupancy outside its peak khareef season. The data reflects how tourism demand is spreading beyond the capital to secondary destinations.

Tourism Employment and Economic Impact

Employment in the hotel sector exceeded 11,000 workers, including a significant number of Omani nationals, reinforcing tourism’s role as a key contributor to job creation and economic diversification. The sector continues to support Oman’s long-term development goals by generating employment, stimulating local businesses, and attracting private investment.

Outlook: Positive Signals for Aviation and Tourism

With sustained inbound demand, expanding airline networks, and continued investment in tourism infrastructure, Oman’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond remains positive. The growing mix of GCC, Asian, and European visitors positions the Sultanate well to benefit from regional travel growth and rising interest in authentic, experience-led destinations.

Gulf Air has announced the continuation of its temporary network via Dammam, extending operations to various international destinations through April 2026. Travel arrangements between Bahrain and Dammam will be provided for confirmed passengers.

Gulf Air has confirmed that its temporary Dammam network will continue operating through April 2026. Key extensions include:

• Paris (CDG): Operations extended until 5 April 2026
• London Heathrow (LHR): Operations extended until 11 April 2026
• Mumbai (BOM), Nairobi (NBO), Cairo (CAI), Chennai (MAA), Bangkok (BKK), Manila (MNL), Casablanca (CMN), Frankfurt (FRA): Operations extended until 30 April 2026

Passengers with confirmed bookings will be provided transportation between Bahrain and Dammam. Gulf Air will also facilitate Saudi transit visas for travelers connecting to Saudi Arabia via the airline’s arranged land transportation. Passengers whose final destination is Saudi Arabia are required to hold a valid visa independently.

Gulf Air advises passengers not to proceed to their departure station without a confirmed ticket. Flights to and from Bahrain International Airport remain temporarily suspended.

Spain has prohibited United States military aircraft involved in the ongoing Iran conflict from using its airspace, a move that highlights growing friction between Washington and European allies.

Defence Minister Margarita Robles confirmed that neither Spanish military bases nor national airspace would be available for operations connected to the war. She described the conflict, initiated by the US and Israel about a month ago, as both “illegal” and “unjust,” reaffirming Madrid’s firm opposition.

The decision reinforces Spain’s position as one of Europe’s most vocal critics of the conflict and is expected to further strain relations with the administration of Donald Trump. Trump had earlier warned of a potential full trade embargo against Spain in response to its stance.

Spanish officials had already indicated that jointly operated US-Spain military bases would not be used in the campaign. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the latest restriction aims to avoid contributing to any escalation.

Meanwhile, the White House suggested on Monday that the conflict could conclude within two weeks, provided Iran agrees to negotiations, warning that failure to do so would result in serious consequences.

Source: The Telegraph

Airlines across the globe are cancelling thousands of flights as the ongoing conflict in Iran pushes jet fuel prices to unprecedented levels, intensifying pressure on the aviation sector.

Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that nearly one in every 20 scheduled flights was cancelled on Monday. This represents a sharp increase compared with the same period last year, reflecting growing strain on airline operations.

The surge in cancellations follows a dramatic rise in fuel costs. Jet fuel prices, which stood at $742 per metric tonne a year ago, have climbed beyond $1,710. The escalation is largely linked to supply disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route responsible for transporting roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil.

Crude oil markets have also reacted strongly, with Brent crude prices reaching as high as $116 per barrel during early trading on Monday. Analysts warn that refining jet fuel requires more crude oil than petrol or diesel, amplifying the impact of supply constraints on aviation fuel availability.

Concerns are now shifting from price increases to potential shortages. According to a report by the Financial Times, the United Kingdom is expected to receive its final known shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East this week.

Aviation analyst Alex Macheras cautioned that multiple markets could face severe fuel shortages within days, including major European airport hubs. He indicated that some airports have begun advising airlines to prepare for scenarios where fuel may not be available.

The disruption is not confined to Europe. Airlines across Asia, Africa, and South America are implementing contingency plans, including additional refuelling stops, as the supply situation deteriorates.

Several carriers have already announced capacity reductions. Air New Zealand has cut 1,100 flights through early May, while Scandinavian airline group SAS plans to cancel 1,000 flights next month, primarily affecting domestic routes.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines has warned it may reduce monthly flights by 10 to 20 percent next quarter if jet fuel prices reach between $160 and $200 per barrel. This could impact up to 18 percent of its international services and more than a quarter of its domestic operations.

In the United States, United Airlines has already reduced capacity by approximately 5 percent on less profitable routes, becoming the first major US carrier to take such measures in response to rising fuel costs.

Chief executive Scott Kirby said sustained high oil prices could increase the airline’s expenses by $11 billion, potentially forcing ticket prices to rise by around 20 percent to maintain profitability. He noted that fares have already increased by 15 to 20 percent in recent weeks, warning that higher prices are likely to dampen travel demand.

Kirby added that in a worst-case scenario, oil prices could climb to $175 per barrel and remain above $100 through 2027.

Beyond fuel-related challenges, the conflict has also disrupted travel across the Middle East. Major European carriers, including British Airways, Air France-KLM, and Lufthansa, have suspended multiple routes to and from the region.

Cirium data indicates that approximately 7,049 out of 104,618 scheduled flights—around 7 percent—were cancelled globally on Monday. By comparison, 4,797 out of 102,132 flights, or 4.7 percent, were cancelled on the same day last year.

The impact has been particularly severe in North America, where cancellations reached 14.6 percent of departing flights, significantly higher than the 4.4 percent recorded a year earlier.

Source: The Telegraph

Airfares from the United Arab Emirates have increased significantly in recent weeks, with travel agencies reporting average rises of 15 to 25 per cent. The surge is being linked to reduced flight schedules by regional carriers, a decline in international airline operations on key routes, and mounting operational expenses such as fuel and insurance.

Industry professionals say the price increase, while noticeable, has not dampened overall travel demand. Instead, it has led to changes in how passengers plan their journeys. Imtiaz Hussain Nasir, chief executive of Pinoy Tourism, noted that travellers are now more price-conscious, often comparing options carefully and booking earlier to avoid further increases. Flexibility with travel dates and routes has also become more common.

Recent travel disruptions have played a role in shaping demand patterns. Many passengers postponed trips rather than cancelling them, leading to a rebound in bookings as services resumed. This combination of delayed and new demand has placed additional pressure on available seats, contributing to higher fares.

Rashida Zahid, vice president of operations at musafir.com, said travellers are increasingly adopting strategic booking habits. According to her, most passengers now secure tickets around eight to ten days before departure, as prices tend to rise sharply within the final few days. While direct flights remain the preferred choice, more travellers are opting for indirect routes when the cost savings are substantial.

The limited presence of international carriers is another factor influencing prices. Rino Steephen, sales manager and partner at Azzam Travel and Tourism, explained that a large share of current flights is being operated by UAE-based airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Air India. Reduced competition, he said, is contributing to higher ticket costs.

Popular outbound destinations from the UAE include India, the Philippines, several African nations, Turkey, Thailand, Georgia, Armenia, Malaysia, Singapore, and major European cities such as London, Paris, Milan, and Barcelona.

Flight availability continues to play a critical role in pricing. With fewer direct options, many travellers are choosing longer, indirect journeys, sometimes at higher overall costs, to reach their destinations while managing budgets.

Experts also point to broader global pressures affecting the aviation sector, including rising fuel prices, increased insurance premiums, and operational risks. These factors are feeding into ticket pricing worldwide.

Despite higher fares, booking patterns vary depending on urgency. Some passengers continue to book immediately due to pressing travel needs, while others plan weeks in advance to secure more favourable rates. Airlines, meanwhile, are offering greater flexibility in ticket changes and cancellations to accommodate shifting travel plans.

Looking ahead, industry observers expect demand to remain strong. Nasir said travel activity is likely to recover steadily as operations stabilise, although fares may stay elevated on high-demand routes with limited capacity. Steephen added that while UAE carriers are operating without seat restrictions, the absence of more international airlines continues to shape pricing trends. Any easing of fares, he noted, will depend on how conditions evolve in the coming weeks.

Source: Khaleej Times

Qatar Airways has announced temporary delays in handling customer service requests, including refunds, citing a significant rise in demand. The airline said response and processing times may be longer than usual, while teams continue to work continuously to address all pending cases.

Under updated guidance, passengers holding confirmed bookings for travel between 28 February and 15 June 2026 are eligible to request either a full refund or a change of travel dates.

For customers with cancelled bookings, the airline clarified that if a booking cannot be retrieved through its system, it is likely already undergoing refund processing, and no further action is required. However, if the booking remains accessible, passengers may apply for a full refund or modify their travel dates. Any additional services purchased alongside tickets will be refunded separately after the main ticket refund is completed.

Passengers who still intend to travel can reschedule their journeys on Qatar Airways-operated flights up to 31 October 2026, subject to seat availability and fare conditions.

The airline noted that refunds will be issued to the original form of payment and may take up to 28 working days to complete. Customers can monitor the progress of their refund requests through the airline’s online tracking system.

For tickets booked through travel agents or third-party platforms, passengers have been advised to contact their original point of purchase to initiate refund requests.

Qatar Airways also directed customers to its official website for further assistance and updated information, including frequently asked questions.