12 October 2016
Muscat - “The new national low-cost airline, SalamAir, will offer a different kind of services such as lower fares within both domestic and regional markets,” said Dr Mohammed bin Nasser al Zaabi, CEO, of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA). He said the airline will be based in Muscat, but will have a secondary hub at Salalah Airport. Meanwhile, SalamAir, will start its scheduled services by the year-end with four daily flights to Salalah.

While revealing the destinations to follow will be Dubai, Jeddah and Khartoum, François Bouteiller, the company CEO, said that fare structure will be released along with the flight schedule. On India, Bouteiller said that we are still assessing the market there. “There are issues such as traffic rights, regulatory issues and we have to make sure that we are going to the right place.” On relations with Oman Air, Bouteiller said, “We will work with them on a number of services and if the deal is a win-win situation for both of us, it will help passengers with fares and frequencies.” He said the airline will offer an all economy class configuration.

“Our business plans will vary according to market and the company of 27 people and the number will rise before the end of this year with the arrival of operational staff, including the cabin crew.” Al Zaabi added that very soon there will be some news on the new Muscat airport and added that the work on the second runway is not completed. Maitha al Mahrouqi, Ministry of Tourism, said, “The low cost airline is very important for the economy. We have many airlines in the region, including LCCS. It will drive new sources of markets.”

© Oman Daily Observer 2016