Muscat: The airline will operate three weekly flights linking Salalah and Jeddah during the Dhofar Khareef season of 2025.
The inaugural flight was welcomed by His Excellency Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Sultanate of Oman, Eng. Zakariya bin Yaqub Al-Harasi, Deputy CEO of Salalah Airport, along with a number of senior officials from Oman Airports, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and representatives from various government agencies in Dhofar Governorate.
Speaking on the occasion, Eng. Zakaria bin Yaqoub Al Harrasi, Deputy CEO of Salalah Airport, confirmed the airport’s readiness to receive passengers during the 2025 Khareef season via 12 local and international operating airlines. He pointed out that the airport expects a significant increase in passenger numbers and air traffic compared to last year, as a result of ongoing efforts to enhance the airport’s efficiency and improve the quality of services and travel procedures.
The current season is expected to attract over 900,000 travellers, compared to 692,626 during the previous season, showing an increase of nearly 37%. He also indicated that the largest share (62%) of travellers comes from within Oman, followed by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries 935.7%), and India (1.8%).
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He added that air traffic through Salalah Airport is expected to increase by 36% during this year’s Khareef season, exceeding 5,000 incoming and outgoing flights, compared to 3,869 flights in 2024.
Al-Harrasi revealed that the 2025 Dhofar Khareef season will see Saudia join the list of airlines operating direct flights to Salalah Airport, enhancing air and tourism connectivity between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and providing travellers with broader options.
According to His Excellency Bishan, arrival of the first Saudi Airlines flight to Salalah reflects the depth of cooperation between the two sides. He expressed his gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for the warm welcome, noting that the flight was not limited to Saudis and Omanis, but included passengers of various nationalities, reflecting the international dimension of this direct air route.
