SalamAir
An Omani low-cost airline operating domestic and international passenger services from Muscat.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
SalamAir is an Omani low-cost passenger airline headquartered at Muscat International Airport. It was created following an Omani government initiative to introduce a low-cost commercial carrier and broaden access to air travel in the sultanate. The Public Authority for Civil Aviation invited bids for the proposed operator in 2015, and Muscat National Development & Infrastructure Company (ASAAS) won the tender in January 2016. ASAAS was established as a partnership involving the Oman Investment Authority, Muscat Municipality and pension funds. SalamAir subsequently began building its operating platform and became the first low-cost carrier based in Oman. The airline received its first aircraft, an Airbus A320-200 leased from LATAM Group, in November 2016. The arrival took place in Muscat on 18 November, coinciding with Oman’s National Day period. Scheduled operations began on 30 January 2017 with domestic services linking Muscat and Salalah. SalamAir launched its first international route on 28 February 2017, connecting Muscat with Dubai. The Dubai service initially used Dubai World Central before moving to Dubai International Airport in October 2017. SalamAir’s business model is centered on relatively affordable, no-frills air travel, with optional services and a network designed to connect Oman with nearby regional and labor, tourism and diaspora markets. Its route expansion has taken it beyond domestic Omani flying into the wider Middle East, South Asia and Europe. The airline has been described as serving more than 32 destinations as its network developed, although routes and frequencies are subject to change. The carrier began with three leased Airbus A320-200 aircraft and later developed an Airbus narrow-body fleet. Its principal operating base is Muscat International Airport, while Salalah and other Omani airports support domestic and regional connectivity. The airline’s offering is primarily scheduled passenger transportation rather than a broad aviation-services portfolio. As with other low-cost carriers, the value proposition emphasizes base fares and network access, while the overall travel package may include separately priced ancillary services. In March 2026, the Government of Oman acquired a 90% stake in SalamAir as part of a plan to create a more integrated national aviation sector alongside Oman Air. This transaction represented a significant change in the airline’s ownership context and potentially strengthened its role within Oman’s broader aviation strategy. As of July 2026, Adrian Hamilton-Manns was identified as chief executive officer. Earlier leadership included Captain Mohamed Ahmed, while Captain Ahmed Al Shidhani served as acting chief executive from October 2023.
History
SalamAir emerged from Oman’s effort to establish a low-cost airline capable of expanding access to air travel and supporting the country’s aviation and tourism objectives. In 2015, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation sought bids for a low-cost commercial operator. The tender was won in January 2016 by Muscat National Development & Infrastructure Company, commonly known as ASAAS. ASAAS had been formed in 2014 through a partnership involving the Oman Investment Authority, Muscat Municipality and several pension funds. The airline was organized as SalamAir and prepared to operate with a low-cost model focused on scheduled passenger transportation. Its initial fleet consisted of three Airbus A320-200 aircraft leased from LATAM Group. The first aircraft arrived in Muscat on 18 November 2016, an event timed to coincide with Oman’s National Day celebrations. This provided the operational foundation for the carrier’s launch and established Muscat International Airport as its main base. Commercial service began on 30 January 2017 with flights between Muscat and Salalah. The route gave SalamAir a domestic role connecting Oman’s two principal passenger markets and demonstrated the airline’s intended contribution to internal mobility. On 28 February 2017, the carrier started its first international route, from Muscat to Dubai. The service initially used Dubai World Central. In October 2017, SalamAir transferred the Dubai operation to Dubai International Airport, improving access to the main airport serving the city. Following its launch, SalamAir expanded its network beyond the initial domestic and Dubai routes. Its developing schedule reached destinations across the Middle East, South Asia and Europe, with the airline described as serving more than 32 destinations. This expansion placed the carrier in competition with established Gulf airlines and other low-cost operators while giving Oman additional direct links to regional communities, tourism markets and business centers. The airline’s fleet and operations have been based primarily around Airbus narrow-body aircraft suitable for short- and medium-haul routes. Its historic fleet included Airbus A320-200 aircraft leased from LATAM Group between 2017 and 2020. The carrier’s core service remains scheduled passenger flying, supported by the ancillary features normally associated with low-cost aviation, such as optional baggage, seating and onboard services. Ownership changed materially in March 2026, when the Government of Oman acquired a 90% stake in SalamAir. The acquisition was presented as part of an effort to develop a more integrated aviation sector together with Oman’s flag carrier, Oman Air. The transaction gave the airline a closer relationship with national aviation policy while leaving its low-cost operating identity as the defining customer proposition. Leadership also evolved over time: Captain Mohamed Ahmed previously held the chief executive role, Captain Ahmed Al Shidhani served as acting chief executive from October 2023, and Adrian Hamilton-Manns was identified as chief executive as of July 2026.
- 2026
Oman acquires a controlling stake
[1]The Government of Oman acquires 90% of SalamAir to support a more integrated aviation sector with Oman Air.
- 2017
Domestic operations begin
[1]SalamAir starts flying between Muscat and Salalah on 30 January.
- 2017
First international route launches
[1]SalamAir begins Muscat–Dubai service on 28 February, initially operating to Dubai World Central.
- 2017
Dubai service moves airports
[1]The airline transfers its Dubai operation from Dubai World Central to Dubai International Airport in October.
- 2016
ASAAS wins the airline tender
[1]ASAAS wins the government tender to establish and operate Oman’s proposed low-cost airline.
- 2016
First aircraft arrives in Muscat
[1]The first Airbus A320-200 arrives in Muscat on 18 November, forming part of the initial leased fleet.
- 2015
Oman invites bids for a low-cost carrier
[1]Oman’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation invites bids for a low-cost commercial airline operator.
- 2014
ASAAS is established
[1]Muscat National Development & Infrastructure Company, or ASAAS, is formed through a partnership involving Omani public and pension-related institutions.
Products and positioning
Low-cost, accessible scheduled air travel connecting Oman with domestic, regional and selected longer-distance international markets.
Airline transportation · 2017
Domestic passenger flights
SalamAir’s domestic network connects Omani cities, including its inaugural Muscat–Salalah route. These services provide scheduled point-to-point transportation within Oman and form the domestic foundation of the carrier’s low-cost network.
Airline transportation · 2017
International passenger flights
The airline operates international services from Oman to markets in the Middle East, South Asia and Europe. Its first international route was Muscat–Dubai, after which the network expanded to more than 32 destinations at various points.
Airline fare product · 2017
Low-cost economy travel
SalamAir’s principal commercial proposition is affordable no-frills air travel. The model emphasizes accessible base fares and allows travelers to purchase selected additional services separately, consistent with the operating approach of low-cost carriers.
Brand decisions
2026
Government acquisition of a 90% stakeM&ABackground
Oman sought to develop a more integrated aviation sector and coordinate the roles of SalamAir and national flag carrier Oman Air.
Action taken
The Government of Oman acquired a 90% interest in SalamAir.
Aftermath
The transaction placed SalamAir more directly within Oman’s national aviation framework.
2017
Launch of domestic scheduled operationsProduct launchBackground
SalamAir was created to introduce low-cost commercial aviation in Oman and needed to establish an initial domestic operating base.
Action taken
The airline began scheduled flights between Muscat and Salalah on 30 January 2017.
Aftermath
The launch established SalamAir as Oman’s first low-cost carrier and was followed by international expansion.
2017
Expansion into international marketsStrategyBackground
After establishing domestic service, SalamAir sought to connect Oman with nearby international markets.
Action taken
The airline launched Muscat–Dubai service on 28 February 2017 and subsequently expanded across the Middle East, South Asia and Europe.
Aftermath
The route network grew to more than 32 destinations at various points in the airline’s development.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
SalamAir signs distribution agreement with Amadeus[3]
Reported:
SalamAir signed a distribution agreement with Amadeus, giving the airline access to travel sellers connected to Amadeus’ platform and a wider range of markets.
SalamAir appoints Eng Yaqoob Al Kiyumi as Chief Executive Officer[4]
SalamAir, Oman's low-cost airline, has appointed Eng Yaqoob bin Saif bin Hamoud Al Kiyumi as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2026, succeeding Adrian Hamilton-Manns.
Sources5 sources
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