Oman Air has concluded a successful 2026 Khareef season, increasing capacity to Salalah by 16% compared to 2025, enhancing regional connectivity through new services, and recording strong passenger growth throughout the period. Between mid-June and mid-September, the airline carried 270,000 passengers into Salalah, marking a 9% increase on 2025 and the highest passenger volumes seen in recent years. The strongest growth was recorded in June, when passenger numbers rose by 24% compared to the same period last year. To meet peak demand, Oman Air operated up to 15 flights per day to Salalah during August, including additional services operated by its larger Boeing 787-9 aircraft to provide increased seat capacity.
In July, Oman Air also launched a three weekly Dubai-Salalah service, adding more than 4,900 seats per month and providing thousands of additional guests with direct access to the governorate. The airline also operated scheduled charter services between Bahrain and Salalah during July and August, supporting inbound tourism and demonstrating the future potential of the route.
“As a key partner in Oman’s tourism ecosystem, Oman Air is committed to stimulating visitor demand, strengthening connectivity and supporting local economic growth. During this year’s Khareef season, we expanded capacity and introduced additional services to provide travellers with more opportunities to visit Salalah,” said Nasser Al Sharji, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air.
“We would like to thank our guests for choosing Oman Air this Khareef season and for helping make it another successful year for tourism in Dhofar. Supporting domestic tourism remains a key priority, and we are proud to play our part in connecting more people with the destinations, experiences and communities that make Oman unique.”
Looking beyond the Khareef season, Oman Air remains focused on supporting Dhofar’s growth as a year-round tourism destination. Building on the success of its seasonal operations, the airline’s Dubai-Salalah service continues to connect the governorate with a key regional market, while further opportunities to expand connectivity are under evaluation. Oman Air is also working towards the resumption of its Moscow-Salalah charter service, which is expected to further strengthen inbound tourism. Through strategic network development and expanded access to Dhofar, Oman Air aims to attract more visitors throughout the year, support local businesses and communities, and contribute to the long-term growth of Oman’s tourism sector.
