SalamAir has announced the arrival of its 15th aircraft, a new Airbus A321neo, named “Barr Al Hikman” after the renowned coastal area in the Sultanate of Oman, often called the “Maldives of the Middle East” for its natural beauty and rich wildlife.
Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al Khonji, Chairman of SalamAir, expressed his delight at welcoming Barr Al Hikman, the airline’s 15th aircraft, to its growing fleet: “SalamAir is committed to making air travel more affordable while supporting Oman’s aviation and tourism goals. This newest addition to our fleet marks the start of executing our strategic plan to reach 25 aircraft by 2028. SalamAir continues to support the aviation ecosystem in advancing Oman Vision 2040 by increasing tourism levels and contributing to the Sultanate’s economic diversification. We underscore the importance of public–private collaboration and complementarity to grow tourism for the benefit of Oman.”
“Part of SalamAir’s strategy since 2024 has been to focus on unserved routes”, said Mohamed Al Khonji. “We firmly believe that Vision 2040 will be achieved through ambitious, forward-looking growth. For example, the United Arab Emirates operates more than 560 aircraft with a population of around 11 million, while Qatar operates about 230 aircraft with a population of around 3 million. By comparison, both Omani airlines combined operate no more than 46 aircraft with a population of around 5 million, which shows Oman’s substantial headroom for growth. By working together through codeshare and other forms of cooperation, seeking to complement rather than compete, both Omani airlines can be part of the growth story. With our 15th plane delivered, we are inaugurating a new phase in our growth journey.”
“With our fleet now of 15 aircraft, the airline can begin to expand that demand further while opening new markets, including our long-term plan to establish a base for two to three aircraft in Salalah. A Salalah base supports balanced regional development, bringing more visitors to Dhofar and stimulating year-round tourism and employment.”
Adrian Hamilton-Manns, Chief Executive Officer of SalamAir, commented: “This new aircraft will enable SalamAir to expand its network by increasing frequencies to Nairobi; launching new services to Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia; strengthening our presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia via Abha; resuming Beirut; and launching service to Medan in Indonesia. With a growing list of previously unserved destinations across the region, SalamAir plays a key role in supporting the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts to expand transport links, making it easier for people to travel to Oman and for residents to have direct access to more destinations.”
