The Supreme Committee in charge of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday announced the resumption of air traffic for international flights starting October 1, 2020.  

A statement from the committee said this is provided flights are scheduled according to the health data for specific destinations and according to bilateral agreements. 

Following the announcement, there was palpable excitement and relief as passengers can now plan the visits abroad which had been kept on hold. While many had speculated flights to resume on September 1, only special flights have been operated to fly stranded passengers.  

“This is great news. I had sche-duled my leave in September but now I have changed it to October end. I will be able to travel and by that time, my offered destination would have opened,” Fuad al Farsi, an oil field worker, said. 

Another travel enthusiast, Adel al Musallami, a safety expert, said he had planned a trip to Cuba in February this year but he couldn’t go with the COVID-19 outbreak.  

“Now that international flights have been announced in October, I will plan my travel to Cuba in December. I hope airports are open there, if not I will travel to Portugal – my second preferred destination. I will have to find out,” he said. 

According to airport security, safety of passengers and employees is the top priority at terminals across Oman.  

“The work conducted by the directorate general for airport security is creating an environment that is safe for employees, as well as ensuring proper security measures are in place. As air travel involves direct contact between police officials and those present at the airports, it is important to take necessary measures to maintain employee safety according to the guidelines by Civil Aviation Authority,” said Major Khaled al Battashi of the ROP, while speaking on Oman Radio recently. 

In a statement earlier, Oman Air said, “Our planes and people are ready and Oman’s airports are ready, too. When we can fly, we will provide safe, careful service to our guests, along with all travel-related information and requirements.”