Oman Air’s Taif Launch: How This Strategic Move Could Boost Your Business Opportunities in Oman
Oman Air has officially launched a new service to Taif, with the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) announcing that the airline has entered a phase of positive growth and is significantly increasing capacity for 2026. This expansion is supported by new fleet additions and upcoming route announcements expected mid-year.
In an exclusive interview with Oman Observer during the service launch, the CCO highlighted that Oman Air’s investments in its network over the past year have contributed nearly RO 800 million to Oman’s economy through enhanced tourism, service sectors, and job creation.
The airline’s revised services into Salalah, starting with the new Moscow-Salalah route, are projected to inject over RO 320 million into Dhofar’s economy. The CCO described this initiative as transformative, supporting employment and visitor influx in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.
Regarding its operations in Saudi Arabia, the CCO noted that Oman Air has consistently served major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Medina. The addition of Taif is expected to enhance travel options, allowing passengers to arrive in one city and depart from another. This flexibility could boost business travel and facilitate religious pilgrimages, especially during peak demand periods when access to key pilgrimage gateways may become more constrained.
Oman Air plans to increase its capacity to Salalah by 19% for 2025 and by an additional 20% in the first quarter of 2026. For the entire year, the airline anticipates a 30% growth in domestic capacity and a stunning 425% increase internationally.
Looking ahead, the CCO confirmed Singapore as a major new destination and teased that three additional significant announcements regarding service capacity will be made mid-year, with new destinations in the Far East expected to launch in October and November.
On the fleet front, another Boeing 787-9 is on track to arrive from Seattle, further enabling the airline to enhance its network.
“Oman Air has undergone a transformation,” the CCO stated. “It has returned to positive growth, achieved better financial stability, and is ready to make Oman proud once again.”
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Oman Air’s launch of services to Taif and its aggressive capacity expansion signals positive momentum for the Omani economy, with an estimated RO 800 million boost from increased tourism and job creation. This presents strategic opportunities for businesses to align with growing travel demand, particularly in tourism and hospitality sectors. Investors and entrepreneurs should consider positioning themselves to leverage this growth, especially with new routes set to enhance connectivity and promote visitor influx, aligning with Oman Vision 2040 goals.
