His Majesty Sultan Haitham provides Royal Directives for fuel price subsidies at Oman Airports’ Salalah Airport

Oman Airports has confirmed the Royal Directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq – may Allah protect him – with regards to the strategic provision of direct subsidies on fuel prices at Salalah Airport, making them equivalent to fuel prices at Muscat International Airport.  

Following His Majesty’s decision, Oman Airports reaffirmed that these royal directives will facilitate a rise in the travel and tourism sector, increase the number of flights to and from the Dhofar Governorate, and boost competition to attract airlines, thus reducing air ticket costs for Omanis and residents travelling to Salalah.

Oman Airports added that His Majesty’s royal directives will play an important role in increasing the number of flights and passengers to the Dhofar Governorate, especially as it prepares for the annual Khareef season.  

Furthermore, Oman Airports stated that the Royal Directives will increase the growth of air traffic through Salalah Airport for Oman’s flagship national carrier Oman Air, as well as the budget airline of the Sultanate, Salam Air, and the regional and international carriers that operate their direct flights to Salalah Airport from the airports of the capitals of the GCC countries and the friendly republics of India and Pakistan.

Oman Airports will work to immediately implement the Royal Directives in cooperation with the concerned authorities and other strategic partners, which will certainly boost travel movements to Salalah Airport for many airlines – which is what Oman Airports is currently working on within the framework of increasing the airport’s occupancy rates.

Salalah Airport, which is one of the few airports in the world that has received a 5-star rating, is witnessing annual growth in travel traffic, whether from Muscat International Airport or through regional and international flights that operate during the Khareef season, or the winter tourism season.

Dhofar Governorate is a touristic attraction throughout the year, and thus it is significant to provide all facilities to airlines. In turn, this will have a direct positive impact on increasing passenger numbers, and reducing air ticket prices.
Notably, Salalah Airport currently can hold up to 2 million passengers per annum. (This figure can be expanded in the future to 6 million passengers per annum).

Salalah Airport also witnesses air traffic at a rate of 75 weekly internal and external arrival flights, as well as 75 weekly departure flights.

Aircraft traffic at Salalah Airport recorded a growth of 20%, to reach 930 aircraft by the end of February 2023, against 775 aircraft by the end of February 2022. Additionally, there is an increase in the volume of transported goods by 39% to 43 tons, and a rise in the number of passengers to reach 105,000.