Muscat: On Monday, SalamAir, Oman’s budget airline, launched its first flight from Muscat to Nairobi. This important achievement represents a key advancement in SalamAir’s growth into the African market, providing travelers with enhanced options for connecting between Oman and Kenya.
The inaugural ceremony took place at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on March 17, 2025, and was attended by notable figures including Mohamed Daghar, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Transport in the Ministry of Roads and Transport, Her Excellency Nasra Salim Mohamed Al Hashmi, the Omani Ambassador to Kenya, and His Excellency Abdi Aden Korio, the Kenyan Ambassador to Oman.
Adrian Hamilton-Manns, CEO of SalamAir, expressed his enthusiasm about the new route, stating, "We are excited to broaden our network with the introduction of flights between Muscat and Nairobi. This route aligns with our goal of connecting Oman to significant global locations, thereby enhancing economic and cultural relationships in line with Oman Vision 2040. Nairobi is a vibrant city with considerable business opportunities and diverse tourism experiences, and we are delighted to offer our passengers an affordable and convenient travel choice.
Moreover, this new link will enable Kenyan travelers to explore Oman and its unique attractions, which are among the most popular in the region. The route also facilitates easy connections from Nairobi to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Indian subcontinent."
He also highlighted that Nairobi is just the beginning, as SalamAir plans to introduce additional destinations throughout East Africa, underscoring the airline’s dedication to enhancing connectivity in the region.
Her Excellency Nasra Salim Mohamed Al Hashmi, the Omani Ambassador to Kenya, stated: “The launch of SalamAir’s direct flight to Nairobi represents a pivotal advancement in the diplomatic relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kenya. This new air service is anticipated to boost trade, tourism, and investment prospects, thereby reinforcing the economic connections between our two countries. Enhanced connectivity will support business interactions and foster cultural exchanges, further solidifying the longstanding relationship between Oman and Kenya. The establishment of this route demonstrates our shared dedication to enhancing collaboration across essential sectors. We are eager to see the positive effects of this initiative on the flow of people and goods between our nations.”
His Excellency Abdi Aden Korio, the Kenyan Ambassador to Oman, remarked: “The inaugural SalamAir flight to Nairobi took off on March 17, 2025. This airline will serve as the sole direct link between Oman and Kenya. This route is crucial as it provides the most significant connection for travelers in the tourism sector, the business community, and government representatives. Kenya warmly welcomes SalamAir and anticipates the ongoing importance of this vital passenger and cargo transport between our two countries.”
