SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost airline, held a joint ceremony at Muscat International Airport to celebrate its services to Erbil and Damascus, highlighting the airline’s continued expansion and commitment to making travel more accessible.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of Khamis bin
Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport,
Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of SalamAir, and
attended by Dr. Razzaq Salman Mashkoor Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Head
of the Iraqi Diplomatic Mission, and Khalid Al Ayoubi, Chargé d’Affaires at the
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in the Sultanate of Oman.
Also in attendance were representatives from Oman Airports,
alongside aviation ecosystem partners and media representatives.
Bringing together diplomatic representatives and industry
stakeholders, the event highlighted how these services broaden travel choices
across the Middle East to strengthen ties between countries and support tourism
and trade.
The services also create opportunities to attract visitors
to Oman and connect passengers with family, friends and destinations across
SalamAir’s network through Muscat.
The Muscat–Erbil service will commence on October 25, 2026,
with two weekly flights, introducing SalamAir’s second destination in Iraq and
complementing its existing Baghdad operations.
Known for its historic citadel and vibrant markets, Erbil
brings another distinctive destination to the airline’s growing network.
SalamAir will commence direct flights between Muscat and
Damascus on October 28 2026, becoming the first Omani airline to operate this
route.
The service will strengthen connectivity between Oman and
Syria, providing a convenient travel option for passengers travelling for
tourism and business.
The route will also offer travellers opportunities to
discover the Syrian capital’s rich cultural heritage, historic landmarks and
traditional markets.
Yaqoob Al Kiyumi, Chief Executive Officer of SalamAir, said:
“Each destination creates new opportunities for people to connect, whether they
are travelling for business, exploring somewhere new or returning home to their
families. Our services to Damascus and Erbil mark our seven and eight
destinations additions this year, expanding our network to more than 46
destinations, reinforcing our commitment to offering accessible travel choices
and connecting Oman with underserved markets. Our fleet has grown to 18 aircraft,
enhancing our capacity to serve more markets and meet growing demand. We thank
Their Excellencies the Ambassadors and our ecosystem partners for supporting
this growth.”
Haitham bin Nasser bin Said Al Tai, Acting CEO of Oman
Airports, said: “We are pleased to welcome SalamAir’s launch of flights to
Erbil and Damascus through Muscat International Airport, further expanding our
network of destinations, strengthening air connectivity, and offering
travellers greater choice. We value our continued partnership with SalamAir and
look forward to building on this cooperation to support the growth of air
traffic and reinforce Muscat International Airport’s position as a key aviation
gateway connecting the Sultanate of Oman to regional and international
destinations.” -TradeArabia News Service