Saturday, January 31, 2026

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Oman Air launches direct flights to Taif, expanding Saudi network

The Muscat–Taif service marks the airline’s fifth destination in Saudi Arabia.

TAS News Service

info@thearabianstories.com

Saturday, January 31, 2026

MUSCAT : Oman Air yesterday operated its inaugural service to Taif, marking the launch of a new direct service between Muscat and Saudi Arabia’s ‘City of Roses’. Operating three times weekly with a flight time of approximately three hours and 20 minutes, the new service supports two-way tourism and travel between Oman and western Saudi Arabia.

With fares starting from just OMR 38.1 one-way, the route offers travellers from Oman convenient access to Taif, which is renowned for its temperate climate, cultural heritage and proximity to Mecca, while also encouraging visitors from Saudi to explore Oman and connect onward through Muscat. The launch was marked by an inauguration ceremony held at Muscat International Airport.

Commenting on the new service, Mike Rutter, Oman Air’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, “The launch of our Taif service reflects our commitment to expanding our network in line with market demand and regional travel needs. As part of our broader regional growth strategy, this route enhances direct connectivity between Oman and western Saudi Arabia, supporting religious and leisure travel while encouraging tourism flows in both directions. We thank our partners for their support in making this launch possible and we remain focused on strengthening our relationship with Saudi Arabia through continued network growth.”

The arrival of the inaugural flight in Taif was also marked by a ceremony hosted by Second Airports Cluster, the operator of Taif International Airport, and attended by His Excellency the Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman in Jeddah, along with other official delegates.

Taif marks Oman Air’s fifth Saudi destination, joining Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Madinah, as the airline continues to strengthen regional connectivity across the Gulf and the wider Middle East. The route is operated using Boeing 737 aircraft, offering guests Oman Air’s award-winning onboard product and signature Omani hospitality.

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