Known for its rugged mountains, unspoiled beaches, and centuries-old traditions, Oman has steadily earned a reputation as one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in the world.

For travelers seeking adventure without the stress, the Sultanate offers a seamless mix of modern infrastructure, deep-rooted hospitality, and cultural richness. But as with any destination, a little local know-how goes a long way in ensuring an unforgettable trip.

Safety in Focus: Peace of Mind for Travelers

Peace and security are part of the Omani identity. Ranked among the top ten safest nations on the Global Peace Index, Oman allows travelers to wander through its souqs, coastline, and desert landscapes with confidence. Cities boast low crime rates and friendly, approachable locals.

That said, common sense remains essential: keep valuables secure when on beaches or in vehicles, avoid driving after dark in rural areas, and be attentive at road roundabouts where strict adherence to traffic laws is the norm.

With well-kept highways and offline maps in hand, road trips across Oman’s dramatic terrain are not only safe but deeply rewarding.

The Omani Rial: Strong and Steady

Money matters in Oman come with ease, thanks to the strength and stability of the Omani Rial (OMR)—one of the world’s highest-valued currencies, even above the Euro and British Pound.

Notes range from OMR 1 to OMR 50, and while coins exist, the smallest Baisa denominations may go unused in daily life. Cash is still preferred in many traditional markets, but credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, shopping centers, and larger stores.

With ATMs readily available in urban hubs, airports, and fuel stations, managing expenses is stress-free. A handy offline currency conversion app can make shopping at local souqs even smoother.

Etiquette and Culture: A Warm Welcome Awaits

Omanis are admired for their hospitality, and travelers who show respect for local customs quickly feel this generosity. Modesty in dress is encouraged particularly in religious spaces and during Ramadan though women are not required to cover their hair outside of mosques.

As for photography, courtesy is key: always ask before photographing locals, and avoid snapping government buildings or sensitive infrastructure. Recreational drones are prohibited altogether. Greeting someone with a friendly “Salam” fosters instant connection, while keeping public displays of affection minimal ensures cultural harmony.

Shopping with Perks: VAT Refunds Made Easy

Tourists spending more than OMR 25 on eligible purchases can claim VAT refunds when departing Oman. While daily essentials such as food, drinks, and fuel are excluded, big-ticket purchases at malls and stores come with benefits.

Claims can be processed quickly at airports, land borders, and ferry terminals, while purchases above OMR 500 can be managed through the Oman Tax Authority’s official app.

Keeping receipts handy and packing goods in carry-on or checked luggage ensures a smooth refund.

Know Before YouGo : Contacts and Customs

Emergency line: 9999

Muscat taxi service: +968 9914 3222 (or book using apps like Marhaba and Oman Taxi)

Workweek: Sunday to Thursday, with limited hours during Ramadan

Customs rule: Declare cash or instruments exceeding OMR 6,000 (about $15,582) at departure.

Travelers can also rely on visitoman.om for further practical updates.

The Takeaway

From safe city strolls and epic road journeys to navigating markets with one of the world’s most robust currencies, Oman makes travel effortless while immersing visitors in a place where tradition and tranquility thrive.

For those seeking a destination that blends security with soulful cultural encounters, Oman is more than a getaway—it’s a journey into peace itself.

The Norwegian Group carried 2.9 million passengers in August 2026, including 2.5 million passengers on Norwegian and 359,000 on Widerøe.

Norwegian increased its capacity by 3% year on year, while passenger traffic climbed 4%. Its load factor improved by 0.4 percentage points to 86.3%. The airline operated an average of 94 aircraft during the month.

Regularity stood at 98.9%, rising to 99.6% when cancellations related to the Avinor air traffic controllers’ strike are excluded. The industrial action disrupted travel for more than 20,000 passengers. Norwegian’s punctuality rate, measured by departures within 15 minutes of schedule, was 80.8%.

Widerøe increased capacity by 2%, while traffic remained unchanged. Its load factor consequently declined by 1.8 percentage points to 75.8%. The regional airline recorded punctuality of 93.3%, an improvement of 1.5 percentage points, while regularity reached 97.4%.

Norwegian said booking activity for the autumn remained strong, particularly around the school holidays. Meanwhile, its Norwegian Reward loyalty programme has surpassed 10 million members and is introducing five new membership tiers.

Source: QCAA

African airlines recorded a 6.4% year-on-year increase in passenger demand in July 2026, according to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Capacity across African carriers increased by 9.0% compared with July 2025, while the passenger load factor stood at 74.1%. Domestic revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) in the region rose 0.6% during the month.

Globally, total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, increased just 0.2% from July 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew 1.2%, while available seat kilometres, the industry measure of capacity, increased 0.3%.

The global load factor was 85.2%. International demand declined 0.1% year on year. When the Middle East was excluded, international demand increased 1.5%, with capacity also rising 0.3% and the load factor reaching 85.2%.

Domestic passenger demand worldwide grew 0.6% compared with July 2025, while domestic capacity increased 0.2%. The domestic load factor stood at 85.3%.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist, said the peak Northern Hemisphere summer travel season had produced a largely positive result despite weaker performance by carriers in North America and the Middle East.

She also noted that traffic through Gulf aviation hubs was continuing to recover.

Thomsen said airlines remained confident about demand for the final months of the year despite elevated fuel costs, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. Carriers are planning to increase seat capacity by almost 3% in September, she added.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

Global air passenger demand recorded modest growth in July 2026, as strong performances in several regions helped offset declines among carriers in North America and the Middle East, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Total revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) increased by 0.2% compared with July 2025. Excluding Middle Eastern airlines, global passenger demand rose by 1.2%.

Worldwide capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), grew by 0.3% year-on-year, while the global passenger load factor slipped by 0.1 percentage points to 85.2%.

International traffic declined by 0.1% compared with the same month last year. However, excluding Middle Eastern carriers, international demand increased by 1.5%.

Domestic passenger demand rose by 0.6%, supported by a 0.2% increase in capacity. The domestic load factor reached 85.3%.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA's Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist, said the peak Northern Hemisphere summer travel season had delivered an overall positive picture for aviation despite challenges in key markets.

“Overall growth of 0.2% in July was achieved despite year-on-year collective declines by carriers in North America and the Middle East,” she said, adding that traffic through Gulf hubs continued to recover.

Thomsen noted that high fuel prices, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions remain challenges for the industry. However, airlines remain confident about demand later in the year, with seat capacity expected to expand by almost 3% in September.

European airlines posted demand growth of 3.1%, supported in particular by a 12.1% surge in traffic between Europe and Asia.

Latin American carriers recorded a 7.1% increase in demand, while African airlines reported growth of 6.4%.

Elsewhere, Asia-Pacific demand declined by 0.7%, and North American carriers saw a 2.3% fall. Middle Eastern airlines reported the sharpest decline, with demand down 9.5%, although the pace of the downturn continued to ease.

Domestic traffic rose 0.6% worldwide, with China and Brazil reporting strong growth. In contrast, domestic markets in the United States, Australia and India recorded declines.

Source: ZAWYA

Typhoon Dolphin brought torrential rain to Shanghai on Monday, August 10, 2026, flooding roads and commercial areas and severely disrupting air travel in the city.

The weather system forced Shanghai’s two airports to cancel a combined 943 flights, while their overall passenger capacity was reduced by nearly 40%.

The disruption followed Dolphin’s landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday evening. The typhoon struck areas south and west of Shanghai with maximum sustained winds of 151 kilometres per hour near its centre.

Dolphin later weakened into a tropical storm, but its remaining rain bands continued to bring heavy precipitation across large parts of eastern China.

Shanghai, the country’s second-most populous city, experienced widespread flooding, including in several major commercial districts.

China Eastern Airlines said it was working to gradually restore flights to Shanghai, Zhejiang and other affected destinations as weather conditions improve.

Source: Asia News Network

Thousands of WestJet cabin crew members began strike action on Aug. 2 after nearly 11 months of contract negotiations failed to result in a new labor agreement, triggering widespread disruptions across the airline's network.

The industrial action involves around 4,400 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125. The strike officially started after talks between the union and the airline ended without a new collective agreement.

The labor dispute has already forced WestJet to cancel more than 300 flights, affecting travel plans across its domestic and international routes.

Ahead of the strike, the airline had begun grounding portions of its Boeing 737 fleet as a precautionary measure to minimize operational disruption and reduce the risk of leaving passengers and aircraft stranded during the work stoppage.

Source: Aero Time