SalamAir carried 839,630 passengers across its network during the fourth quarter, underlining a solid end to the year for Oman’s low-cost airline as travel demand remained resilient and capacity discipline supported operational reliability.The carrier said it operated 5,766 flights over the period, recording an on-time performance of 77 per cent, a key metric watched closely by regulators and travellers in the budget aviation segment. The figures reflect steady network utilisation and continued efforts to balance schedule integrity with expansion across regional and short-haul international routes.
Based in Oman, SalamAir has positioned itself as a price-competitive alternative in a market long dominated by full-service operators. The airline’s fourth-quarter traffic indicates that low-cost carriers in the Gulf are capturing a growing share of point-to-point leisure and visiting-friends-and-relatives travel, particularly on routes linking the Sultanate with South Asia, the Middle East and selected destinations in East Africa.
Industry data show that passenger numbers typically rise in the final quarter as seasonal travel, school holidays and year-end tourism converge. SalamAir’s performance suggests it managed to convert this demand into filled seats without a sharp deterioration in punctuality, an area where budget airlines often face scrutiny when fleets and crew are stretched.
Executives at the airline have previously emphasised fleet efficiency and network optimisation as core pillars of growth. SalamAir operates a narrow-body fleet designed for short- to medium-haul sectors, enabling higher aircraft utilisation and lower operating costs per seat. These efficiencies have allowed the carrier to sustain competitive fares while expanding frequencies on established routes and testing new markets.
The fourth-quarter numbers also reflect broader trends shaping aviation in the Gulf. Airports in the region have invested heavily in infrastructure and turnaround capacity, enabling airlines to maintain tighter schedules. At the same time, passengers have shown greater sensitivity to price, pushing airlines to refine ancillary revenue strategies such as seat selection, baggage options and onboard services.
On-time performance of 77 per cent places SalamAir in the mid-range among regional carriers, according to industry benchmarks. While not at the top end, the figure suggests operational stability amid rising flight volumes. Analysts note that OTP is influenced by factors beyond airline control, including air traffic congestion, weather disruptions and airport slot constraints, particularly during peak travel windows.
SalamAir’s growth trajectory has also been supported by regulatory frameworks in the Sultanate aimed at boosting tourism and connectivity. Liberalised air service agreements and incentives to open new routes have lowered barriers for carriers seeking to link secondary cities directly, bypassing traditional hubs. This approach aligns with the airline’s low-cost model, which favours direct services over complex transfer networks.
The carrier’s passenger figures come at a time when competition among Gulf low-cost airlines is intensifying. Regional peers are adding capacity and launching routes to similar destinations, increasing pressure on yields. Maintaining load factors while protecting margins has become a central challenge, particularly as fuel prices and leasing costs fluctuate.
Despite these pressures, demand fundamentals remain supportive. Travel between the Gulf and South Asia continues to be driven by labour mobility and family visits, while leisure travel has expanded as visa regimes ease and destinations market themselves more aggressively. SalamAir’s network has been tailored to these flows, with flight schedules designed to appeal to cost-conscious travellers seeking direct connections.
Operational data from the fourth quarter indicate that the airline has been able to scale up without significant disruption. Aviation analysts point out that sustaining this balance will be critical as carriers plan capacity for the year ahead. Fleet additions, crew training pipelines and maintenance planning will all play a role in determining whether punctuality can be improved further as volumes grow.
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Oman