Muscat – Air travel between Muscat and Salalah surged to record levels during this year’s khareef season with flights operating at full capacity and demand exceeding supply, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Hamed bin Ahmed al Barashdi, CAA’s official spokesperson, said the figures reflect the growing appeal of Salalah’s monsoon season. “Oman Air and SalamAir both operated at full capacity during Khareef Dhofar 2025, with demand often exceeding supply by more than 100%,” Barashdi said.

Oman Air flew over 5,500 passengers a day at peak times, increasing its schedule from 12 to 14 daily flights, with operational capacity topping 110% on some days. SalamAir doubled its services from four to eight flights daily, transporting about 4,000 passengers a day, with operating rates occasionally surpassing 125%.

Barashdi added that CAA remains committed to supporting Oman’s tourism sector through an integrated and responsive civil aviation network designed to meet rising demand and ensure sustainable growth.

Official figures show that visitor numbers to Dhofar during khareef – from June 21 to August 15 – reached 827,115, a 2.1% increase from the same period in 2024, when 810,085 visitors were recorded.