Muscat Aviation Services (MAS), a wholly-owned Omani private company, has started commercial air charter operations linking Dubai and Salalah.
The MAS service fulfils a long-felt demand, offering for the first time direct year-round connectivity between Dubai and Salalah.
To begin with, MAS will operate two weekly flights on the Dubai-Salalah sector on Wednesdays and Fridays in co-operation with Phoenix Aviation. The Boeing 737 jet service with 120-seat capacity will be gradually increased to three weekly flights, Abdullah Nasser al Maskary, chief executive officer of MAS, said.
The introductory fare on this sector has been pegged at RO55 ($143) for economy class return, excluding taxes, he added, according to an Oman Observer report.
Leading five-star hotels in Salalah, including the Hilton and Crowne Plaza, have joined hands with MAS to offer attractive packages to tourists. During the Khareef season, Hilton Salalah Resort has announced a two-night package for Dh999, including return economy class ticket, for visitors arriving on MAS flights. Direct connectivity between Salalah and Dubai is expected to significantly boost tourism development in the Sultanate’s summer capital, Al Maskary said.
Besides Oman Air, three regional airlines are presently operating flights to Salalah from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.