New Direct Muscat–Beijing Flights: A Catalyst for Oman’s Tourism and Business Expansion
Muscat: Oman’s tourism sector is poised for significant growth with the launch of the first-ever direct flights between Muscat and Beijing, commencing Sunday, November 30. This new air link is expected to considerably boost inbound travel by reducing flight time by two to three hours.
China Eastern Airlines, one of China’s leading carriers, recently announced the introduction of the Beijing–Muscat route, establishing the inaugural direct connection between the two countries. This initiative, developed in collaboration with Oman Airports, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT), and the Chinese Embassy in Muscat, supports Oman’s strategic objective to attract more Chinese tourists through focused campaigns and strengthened partnerships.
The service will operate twice weekly, on Sundays and Wednesdays, using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft with 299 seats. This route is part of Oman’s comprehensive air connectivity plan for 2025 and complements new European destinations added this year by Oman Air, including Rome and Amsterdam. Additionally, China Eastern Airlines has recently launched a Shanghai–India route, which is performing strongly.
Khalid Al Azri from MoHT’s Cruise, Golf, Wedding, and Charter segment highlighted to Oman Observer that the new flight connection will enhance tourism and trade by offering greater convenience for both leisure and business travellers from Oman and China.
He emphasized that Oman’s national tourism plan has placed a special focus on China this year, expanding representation with new offices and partnerships involving over 80 international travel companies. Promotional activities include joint marketing campaigns, participation in global tourism exhibitions, and collaborations with regional and international airlines.
In the first half of 2025, Oman welcomed 1.14 million international visitors, marking a 9.2 percent year-on-year increase. The Sultanate aims to build on this growth to attract 10 million visitors annually by 2040, generating US$15 billion in tourism revenue. In 2024, over 73,000 Chinese tourists visited Oman, according to a report on the country’s global tourism outreach.
“With this new direct route, we anticipate a strong surge in bilateral travel, positioning tourism as a key driver in supporting national priorities,” Al Azri concluded.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The launch of the first-ever direct flights between Muscat and Beijing opens a strategic gateway to tap into the vast Chinese travel market, significantly reducing travel time and boosting inbound tourism. For Omani businesses, this creates opportunities in hospitality, retail, and cultural sectors, while investors should eye ventures aligned with the expected surge in Chinese visitors, including travel services and destination experiences. Smart entrepreneurs must also consider leveraging partnerships and targeted marketing to capture this growing segment and support Oman’s ambitious goal of 10 million annual visitors by 2040.
