SalamAir is accelerating its worldwide growth, with Saudi Arabia rising as a core progress market alongside new connections across Africa and Europe. Speaking on the airline’s evolving community technique, Steven Allen, Chief Commercial Officer at SalamAir, outlined a disciplined, data-driven method centered on underserved markets, operational reliability and constructing Muscat right into a aggressive transit hub. Excerpts:
Saudi Arabia stays a precedence
Saudi Arabia continues to play a central position in SalamAir’s growth, with Abha turning into the airline’s fifth vacation spot within the Kingdom. Demand between Oman and Saudi Arabia is supported by tourism, non secular journey, household connections and rising financial ties.
The airline has recorded common passenger progress of round 20% over the previous three years, reflecting robust demand across its regional community. SalamAir can also be assessing alternatives past main hubs, notably in secondary cities the place demand stays robust and reasonably priced connectivity is required.
Route technique pushed by demand
SalamAir’s route choice focuses on markets the place the airline can stimulate new demand whereas strengthening Oman’s international connectivity. When evaluating locations comparable to Abha, Nairobi and Vienna, the airline assesses passenger flows, value sensitivity and financial hyperlinks, alongside integration into Muscat’s connectivity community. This method aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises tourism improvement, financial diversification and improved worldwide accessibility.
Europe as subsequent progress frontier
The launch of direct flights to Vienna marks SalamAir’s first scheduled connection between Oman and Central Europe and indicators the airline’s rising ambitions within the European market. Data indicating robust passenger flows between Oman and Austria by way of connecting routes gave the airline confidence to launch direct providers. Europe is anticipated to play an rising position in SalamAir’s community over time, with further locations into account primarily based on industrial viability and operational readiness.
As the airline expands across a number of areas, sustaining operational efficiency stays a precedence. Network progress is paced in accordance to fleet availability, crew readiness and system functionality. SalamAir reported an annual on-time efficiency of 81.3% in 2025 and continues to publish efficiency information as a part of its transparency dedication. Maintaining reliability whereas scaling operations is considered as important to sustaining buyer belief.
Strengthening Muscat as a hub
Muscat is turning into more and more necessary to SalamAir’s enterprise mannequin as a hub connecting the GCC, Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent. While point-to-point journey accounts for round 60% of site visitors, switch passengers are taking part in a rising position in supporting route viability and community resilience. Onward site visitors represents roughly 1 / 4 of Muscat’s capability, reflecting regular progress in constructing connectivity via the airport.
Looking forward, SalamAir is pursuing disciplined fleet growth to help community progress and enhance operational resilience. Three plane are scheduled for supply within the second quarter of 2026, with a longer-term purpose of reaching 30 plane by 2030. The airline has already launched new routes together with Port Sudan and plans to introduce providers to locations comparable to Damascus, Vienna, Medan and Mombasa, with additional bulletins anticipated. As SalamAir expands its footprint, the airline continues to deal with value effectivity, reasonably priced fares and strengthening its place as Oman’s low-cost service whereas supporting tourism and financial improvement.
