SalamAir has record capacity; begins Vienna flights; now serves 42 airports

SalamAir is a LCC from Oman (IATA code OV). The first route commenced nine years ago, in January 2017, from Muscat to Salalah. The inaugural international market was in February 2017, from Muscat to Dubai DWC. Flights quickly shifted to DXB, but the carrier ceased flying there in 2025.

While the airline is based at Muscat, it plans to open a second base at Salalah. More details are currently unknown. It is also unclear if this is because of the Government of Oman, which took a 90% stake in SalamAir earlier this year. This may influence the airline’s network decision-making.

According to Planespotters.net, the Omani LCC has 18 aircraft, which average eight years. It has nine A321neos, six A320neos, two A320ceos, and one A321ceo freighter. Not all are operational. The E195-E2 was ordered, but this has been deferred, whether temporarily or not. It’ll focus on the Airbus aircraft, with more seats and lower CASKs.

42 airports are served

In the second half of 2026 (July-December), Cirium schedule data shows that SalamAir has 2.7 million two-way seats. Capacity has risen by 10% compared to the same period last year.

42 airports are be served in this period, as shown on the following map. 18 are in Asia, 16 are in Asia, five are in Africa and three are in Europe. They are in 22 countries. Six airports are served in India and Pakistan, while five are served in Saudi Arabia.

Compared to the second six months of 2025, five cities have joined (or will join) SalamAir’s network: Port Sudan (27 January 2026; up to 6-weekly); Vienna (24 June; 3-weekly); Medan (3 July 2026; 2-weekly); Kigali (21 July; 2-weekly); and Mogadishu (3 September 2026; 2-weekly). However, in the same period, flights to Chennai, Delhi, Doha, Dubai DXB, Istanbul SAW and Phuket have ended. This is based on having at least 10 departures.

The domestic link to Salalah remains number one

Currently, Muscat accounts for virtually all SalamAir’s capacity. With 161,000 one-way seats, Salalah, 845 kilometres away near the Yemen border, is comfortably the most-served route. 57-weekly departures are available in August, against 87 with country’s flag carrier, Oman Air.

Unlike last year, Dammam, Doha and Kuwait are no longer in the top 10. While Doha is no longer served, capacity has been reduced to the other two destinations, partly because of the war. Sharjah, Hyderabad and Medinah have replaced them.