Salalah – Dhofar governorate has started receiving more seasonal flights operated by GCC carriers for the khareef season. On Saturday, Salalah Airport received the first flight of Saudi Arabia’s Flynas Airlines.

Bahrain’s Gulf Air started three weekly flights for khareef starting Sunday.

Counted among the leading low-cost airlines in the Middle East, Flynas is scheduled to operate three direct weekly flights from Riyadh. The Flynas flight on Saturday was greeted with a traditional water salute at Salalah Airport, while passengers were given complimentary flowers and souvenirs on arrival.

During the reception, which was attended by a number of officials from Oman Airports, as well as the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Royal Oman Police, Salim bin Awad al Yafei, executive vice-president of Salalah Airport, stated that the three direct weekly flights on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday will provide a great opportunity for travellers to spend an enjoyable vaca- tion in Dhofar, either for the weekend or as part of a longer stay.

Yafei pointed out that Oman Airports is delighted to launch these seasonal flights to Salalah, which is well known in the GCC for its weather during the summer khareef.

“We would like to welcome travellers from Saudi Arabia to Dhofar, whether via air or by land. The movement between the two countries is set to increase with the opening of these direct flights, as well as due to the road network linking Oman and Saudi Arabia,” Yafei added.

Commenting on the inauguration of the seasonal flights, an official of Flynas said, “It gives us pleasure to add Salalah to our destinations during khareef, which will enhance the recovery of tourism in the two countries.”

Abdul-Ilah bin Suleiman al Eidi, vice-president of international sales at Flynas, said, “Salalah is one of Flynas’ latest international destinations. It aligns with our plans to open up new markets and enhance passenger traffic to/from Saudi Arabia’s airports. This step is in line with the company’s goal to connect the world to the kingdom, as well as government plans to attract 300mn passengers annually, and connect the kingdom’s airports with 250 international destinations.”

Kuwaiti low-cost airline Jazeera Airways was the first regional airline to start seasonal flights to Salalah on June 16.

Other airlines that will join the list include Wizz Air from Abu Dhabi. Qatar Airways and Air Arabia currently operate flights throughout the year and will add capacity during the khareef season.