SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost airline, today held a joint ceremony at Muscat International Airport to celebrate its services to Erbil and Damascus, highlighting the airline’s continued expansion and commitment to making travel more accessible.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency Eng. Khamis bin Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of SalamAir, and attended by Dr. Razzaq Salman Mashkoor Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Head of the Iraqi Diplomatic Mission, and His Excellency Khalid Al Ayoubi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in the Sultanate of Oman. Also in attendance were representatives from Oman Airports, alongside aviation ecosystem partners and media representatives.
Bringing together diplomatic representatives and industry stakeholders, the event highlighted how these services broaden travel choices across the Middle East to strengthen ties between countries and support tourism and trade. The services also create opportunities to attract visitors to Oman and connect passengers with family, friends and destinations across SalamAir’s network through Muscat.
The Muscat–Erbil service will commence on 25 October 2026 with two weekly flights, introducing SalamAir’s second destination in Iraq and complementing its existing Baghdad operations. Known for its historic citadel and vibrant markets, Erbil brings another distinctive destination to the airline’s growing network.
SalamAir will commence direct flights between Muscat and Damascus on 28 October 2026, becoming the first Omani airline to operate this route. The service will strengthen connectivity between Oman and Syria, providing a convenient travel option for passengers travelling for tourism and business. The route will also offer travellers opportunities to discover the Syrian capital’s rich cultural heritage, historic landmarks and traditional markets.
Commenting on the occasion, Eng. Yaqoob bin Saif bin Hamoud Al Kiyumi, Chief Executive Officer of SalamAir, said: “Each destination creates new opportunities for people to connect, whether they are travelling for business, exploring somewhere new or returning home to their families. Our services to Damascus and Erbil mark our seven and eight destinations additions this year, expanding our network to more than 46 destinations, reinforcing our commitment to offering accessible travel choices and connecting Oman with underserved markets. Our fleet has grown to 18 aircraft, enhancing our capacity to serve more markets and meet growing demand. We thank Their Excellencies the Ambassadors and our ecosystem partners for supporting this growth.”
In addition, Haitham bin Nasser bin Said Al Tai, Acting CEO of Oman Airports, said: “We are pleased to welcome SalamAir’s launch of flights to Erbil and Damascus through Muscat International Airport, further expanding our network of destinations, strengthening air connectivity, and offering travellers greater choice. We value our continued partnership with SalamAir and look forward to building on this cooperation to support the growth of air traffic and reinforce Muscat International Airport’s position as a key aviation gateway connecting the Sultanate of Oman to regional and international destinations.”
SalamAir’s continued network development supports the ambitions of Oman Vision 2040 and the National Aviation Strategy 2040, contributing to stronger international connectivity and the growth of the Sultanate’s diverse sectors.