Salalah Airport welcomed the first Kuwait Airways flight with 220 tourists on board. Kuwait Airways is set to operate four weekly flights between Kuwait International Airport and Salalah Airport throughout the Khareef Dhofar 2024 season, which will run until the end of October.
Zakaria bin Yaqoub Al Harrasi, Executive Vice President of Salalah Airport, expressed, "This inaugural flight marks the beginning of flights from various airlines in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which will arrive consecutively as the Khareef Dhofar season 2024 kicks off this June."
Al Harrasi further stated, "Oman Airports has made extensive preparations to welcome visitors during this season in line with the scheduled flights of local and regional airlines." Flynas will operate ten weekly flights from three major cities in Saudi Arabia, including four from Riyadh, three from Dammam, and three from Jeddah. Jazeera Airways will also offer direct flights from Kuwait to Salalah at a frequency of three flights per week.
Additionally, Al Harrasi highlighted that Salam Air, the Omani economy carrier, will run direct flights from Baghdad, Bahrain, and Fujairah to Salalah Airport at a weekly rate.
The Executive Vice President of Salalah Airport emphasized that Oman Airports is committed to providing all necessary facilities for passengers upon their arrival or departure, ensuring smooth travel procedures in collaboration with strategic partners.
Salalah Airport experienced a significant increase in flight activity last May, with a 26% rise in the total number of flights compared to the previous year, totaling 814 flights. International flights were the main driver of this growth, increasing by 14%, while domestic flights saw a 42% increase. The number of passengers passing through the airport also rose by 17% in March, reaching 95,336 passengers.
During the Khareef season of 2023 until August 15, 2023, Salalah Airport saw a 29% increase in air traffic and a 43.4% rise in passenger numbers compared to the same period in 2022.
Furthermore, Salalah Airport was honored with the Best Airport in the Middle East award for "Customer Experience" in 2023, in the category of two million passengers. This prestigious award was presented by the International Airports Council in collaboration with Amadeus, a leading travel technology company.
In addition to this recognition, Salalah Airport also received awards for having the most dedicated airport employees, the smoothest airport procedures, the most enjoyable airport experience, and the best cleanliness standards in the Middle East across all categories.
