AI-PHO-0419-02-Salam Air visit-A320neo delivery-083

SalamAir, Oman's Low-Cost carrier, is proud to announce the arrival of its 18th Airbus A320neo aircraft, marking another significant milestone in the airline's growth journey and reinforcing the airline's commitment to expanding connectivity, supporting tourism and contributing to the Sultanate's economic diversification in line with Oman Vision 2040.

The aircraft, delivered from Airbus' facility in Toulouse, France, has been proudly named "Salalah" in honour one of Oman's most iconic destinations, recognising Salalah's unique cultural heritage, natural beauty and its position as one of Oman's leading year-round tourism destinations.

To celebrate its arrival, the aircraft operated its first commercial service between Muscat and Salalah, where it was officially welcomed at Salalah International Airport by government representatives, aviation sector partners and media. The special flight marks the aircraft's entry into commercial operation while celebrating SalamAir's continued investment in Oman's domestic network.

As part of the celebration, all seats on the inaugural Muscat–Salalah return flights were offered for OMR 9.99, giving more travellers the opportunity to celebrate the occasion with SalamAir while visiting one of Oman's most iconic destinations.

The addition of the new Airbus A320neo represents another step in SalamAir's ambitious fleet expansion strategy, enabling the airline to continue growing its network across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe while supporting additional frequencies on high-demand routes.

Each new aircraft strengthens SalamAir's ability to connect underserved but high-potential markets, support tourism and create opportunities for Omani talent across flight operations, engineering, customer service and corporate functions, contributing to the continued development of the Sultanate's aviation sector.

Commenting on the aircraft delivery, Adrian Hamilton-Manns, Chief Executive Officer of SalamAir, said: "The arrival of our 18th aircraft marks another important milestone in SalamAir's growth journey. Naming this aircraft 'Salalah' reflects our pride in one of Oman's most treasured destinations and reflects our pride in one of Oman's most treasured destinations while highlighting the vital role domestic aviation plays in connecting communities and supporting tourism.”

He added: “Every aircraft we add increases our ability to serve our customers with greater flexibility, improved connectivity and more travel choices. Our expansion this year has included Vienna, Medan, Mogadishu, Kigali and Shlyet, additional aircraft means we can continue to add new destinations while supporting wider economic growth by creating employment opportunities, strengthening tourism and bringing more visitors to Oman."

Zakariya bin Yaqoob Al Harrasi, Vice President, Oman Airports – Salalah Airport, said: "We are delighted to welcome SalamAir's newest aircraft, 'Salalah', to Salalah International Airport on its first commercial service. Naming the aircraft after our city is a meaningful tribute to Dhofar and reflects the growing importance of Salalah as one of Oman's leading tourism and aviation destinations. At Oman Airports, we remain committed to providing world-class airport services and working closely with our airline partners to support passenger growth, strengthen connectivity and deliver an exceptional travel experience. We look forward to continuing our partnership with SalamAir as it expands its network and contributes to the objectives of Oman Vision 2040."

Grainne van den Berg, Head of Commercial Accounts Middle East at Airbus, said: “We are delighted to celebrate this latest A320neo delivery to SalamAir. This addition to their fleet reflects SalamAir’s continued trust in Airbus and highlights our strong partnership in the region. The A320neo redefines efficiency with at least 20% lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, while maximising passenger comfort, bringing maximum value and efficiency to airline operations. This reinforces its position as the aircraft of choice for fleet modernisation, and we are dedicated to supporting SalamAir's growth ambitions."

With a fleet of 18 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft serving more than 40 destinations, SalamAir continues to invest in one of the region's youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets. The additional aircraft will provide greater operational flexibility, support future network expansion and reinforce the airline's commitment to connecting underserved and high-potential markets with affordable travel options.