SalamAir Launches First Direct Flights to Abha

Muscat: SalamAir, the low-cost carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, today launched its first direct flights to the city of Abha in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, enhancing air connectivity between the two brotherly countries and supporting mutual tourism between the Sultanate of Oman and the Asir region. The new route comes as part of SalamAir’s continued expansion of its regional network.

The launch was marked by a ceremony held at Muscat International Airport, attended by His Excellency Ibrahim Saad Ibrahim bin Bishan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Sultanate of Oman, along with a number of officials and partners from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Abha serves as the gateway to the Asir region, one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent tourist destinations, renowned for its natural diversity, moderate climate, and rich cultural heritage. Ongoing development efforts and environmental preservation initiatives have further enhanced the region’s year-round tourism appeal.

The new direct route is expected to boost tourism flows between the Sultanate of Oman and the Asir region, particularly during peak tourism seasons characterized by mild weather and cultural events.

Stephen Allen, Chief Commercial Officer of SalamAir, said that the airline’s year-round operations to Abha—its fifth destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—reflect SalamAir’s commitment to expanding travel options within the GCC and strengthening regional connectivity.

He added that the route forms an additional bridge for economic, social, and cultural rapprochement between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while offering passengers affordable, comfortable, and convenient travel options.

For his part, Hatem Al-Harbi, CEO of the Tourism Destinations Sector at the Asir Region Development Authority, stated that the launch of SalamAir’s first direct flights to Abha represents an important step in highlighting the renewed tourism potential of the region, supporting tourism growth, and enhancing cooperation by welcoming visitors from the Sultanate of Oman through integrated tourism experiences.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Al-Ibrahim, Vice President of Aviation at the Saudi Tourism Authority, noted that the launch of direct flights between Muscat and Abha strengthens bilateral partnerships and opens broader horizons for connecting the Asir region with regional markets. He emphasized that the route supports joint efforts to enhance air connectivity and improve access to one of the Kingdom’s most diverse and welcoming tourist destinations.

SalamAir will operate four weekly flights between Muscat and Abha, offering passengers flexible travel schedules and seamless connectivity to the airline’s expanding network, which includes key destinations in India, GCC countries, and Salalah, through its main hub in Muscat.

With the addition of Abha as its fifth destination in Saudi Arabia, alongside the resumption of flights to Beirut this December and the continued expansion of its fleet of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, SalamAir continues to strengthen its role in supporting the tourism and logistics sectors in the Sultanate of Oman. These efforts align with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, aimed at economic diversification, expanding air transport options, and enhancing sector efficiency.