SalamAir begins flights to Sohar after Oman Air pulls out

Omani low cost carrier SalamAir has begun direct flights to the country’s Sohar Airport after national carrier Oman Air pulled out last year.

The inaugural flight arrived at the airport on Wednesday afternoon from Salalah, according to Oman’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation.

The authority said Sharjah-based low cost carrier Air Arabia would also begin flights to Sohar on July 9, with three flights a week.

Oman Air announced its decision to temporarily suspend flights to Sohar in June 2016 stating the route had not met “targeted results” since its November 2014 launch.

This came after promotional efforts with local travel agencies did not produce an adequate return, according to the carrier.

The coastal city of Sohar, located 220km northwest of Muscat, is home to a major port and economic zone and considered a key part of Oman’s diversification efforts.