Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, is to operate more flights than ever before to the southern city of Salalah during this summer's Khareef season. The airline has increased frequencies to Salalah in previous years, but will this year offer an unprecedented number of seats to the increasingly popular destination, in response to rising demand. Eleven flights a day will be operated between Salalah and the Omani capital of Muscat, with a capacity increase of 15,000 seats compared to the previous year. In addition, the deployment of Boeing 737, Boeing 787 and Airbus 330 aircraft on the Salalah/Muscat/Salalah sectors will increase the availability of seats on the route. The Dubai/Salalah route will witness the operation of one daily flight in the months of July and August. Furthermore, from September 1, Oman Air will deploy Boeing 737s on the Salalah to Dubai route, replacing smaller Embraer 175 regional jets which are currently in use. This will enable increased numbers of customers from the UAE to enjoy both Oman Air's outstanding passenger experience and the warm hospitality offered to visitors in Salalah. From January to December 2015, a record 52,274 seats were offered by Oman Air on flights between Salalah and Dubai. In 2016, Oman Air will increase that number to 74,176 seats (42%). The increased frequencies will be supported by a range of attractive special offers for customers travelling to Salalah from points throughout Oman Air growing international network. Paul Gregorowitsch, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, announced the expansion of services to Salalah, saying: "Salalah is becoming an increasingly important destination for visitors from the Gulf region and throughout Oman Air's international network, especially during the Khareef season. We are therefore delighted to be expanding Oman Air's services to the city this summer, from both Muscat and Dubai. In fact, we will be increasing the available number of seats on the Salalah/Dubai route alone by nearly 22,000. "As a result, tens of thousands more travellers will have the opportunity to enjoy the area's cool and refreshing weather, which contrasts so sharply with the hot, dry climate to be found elsewhere within the region. Visitors will also be able to make the most of Dhofar's renowned hospitality, ancient culture and awe-inspiring landscapes. "And to ensure that as many people as possible can experience this thrilling destination, Oman Air will be making a range of special offers available. These will enable customers to appreciate Oman Air's award-winning interiors, onboard service and inflight dining whilst flying from a range of destinations across our network at highly competitive prices. We look forward to announcing the details soon." Previous offers on flights to Salalah have included ‘Two fly for the price of one' tickets, short-term sales on Business Class and Economy Class fares, and a range of Economy Class promotional fares. The Khareef season runs from June to September and sees monsoon mists and rains sweep across the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. The cool, damp weather attracts thousands of visitors every year, especially from more northern parts of the Gulf region, where summer temperatures can rise to over 50 Celsius. Salalah, the principal city of Oman's most southerly Governorate, Dhofar, has experienced major year-on-year growth in visitor numbers in recent times. Increasing numbers of travellers from the Gulf, the Far East and Europe are visiting the city and its surrounding region, which offers a unique and ancient culture, dramatic mountain backdrops and unspoiled tropical beaches. As the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air has repeatedly expressed its long-term commitment to supporting the economic development of Salalah and the Dhofar region. This includes the continuing expansion of its tourism sector. In addition to offering year on year increases in flight frequencies, Oman Air is a major sponsor of the Salalah Festival and has also worked in close partnership with OAMC (Oman Airports Management Company) to modernize and expand the city's airport.
