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Oman Airports Expands European Reach with New Airline Partnerships and Destinations


Published on
October 6, 2025

Oman Airports is carrying out a comprehensive action plan to enhance its presence in European markets, with emphasis on underserved markets and connections to the major airports in Oman. Salim Al-Shukaili, Director of Route Development at Oman Airports, explained that plans to expand capacity include the addition of new routes from Central and Eastern Europe as well as additional points from Western Europe.

Oman Airports Expands European Routes with New LCC Services

The focus on European markets is part of a larger growth strategy for Muscat International Airport, which saw a 2% increase in passenger traffic in 2024, reaching 12.9 million passengers. Salalah Airport also experienced growth, surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels by 17.3%, primarily driven by tourism and seasonal travel demand.

As Oman Airports looks to enhance its global connectivity, it has identified Europe as a strategic growth area, with a special emphasis on Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) services. New destinations are being targeted, including Budapest, Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Bucharest, and Bratislava. Russia remains a key part of the strategy, with additional routes planned from Sochi and Mineralnye Vody, set to begin in October 2025 through Azimuth Airlines.

Expanding Connections to Western and Southern Europe

Oman Airports is not just focusing on Central and Eastern Europe; there are also plans to expand into Western Europe. This includes new opportunities in countries like Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon are particularly appealing, offering significant outbound leisure demand as well as potential for partnerships with tour operators to boost inbound traffic to Oman.

These new routes will cater to a growing interest in cultural tourism and winter sun destinations. Oman’s rich cultural offerings and warm weather make it an attractive destination for European travellers seeking a blend of leisure and cultural experiences.

New Airline Partnerships to Boost Connectivity in 2025

Several new airline partnerships are set to enhance Oman’s connectivity starting in late 2025. Iraqi Airways will launch direct flights from three Iraqi cities to Muscat, opening up new travel possibilities for both leisure and business travellers. In addition, China Eastern Airlines will introduce twice-weekly flights from Beijing to Muscat starting November 30, 2025. This is expected to meet the growing demand for China-Oman routes, particularly from the business and leisure sectors.

Neos Airlines, an Italian carrier, will introduce a triangle route connecting Milan, Muscat, and Salalah, alongside new direct flights from Rome to Salalah. These partnerships reflect the continued focus on expanding Oman’s international network, offering more choices for travellers looking to connect to Oman from different regions.

Future Plans: Focus on the Nordic Countries

Looking ahead to 2026, Oman Airports plans to shift its focus towards the Nordic countries—including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The objective is to target winter sun tourism and appeal to premium cultural travel segments. Oman’s blend of sunny beaches and rich cultural heritage is expected to resonate well with Nordic travellers, who often seek warmer destinations during the winter months.

To support this growth, joint marketing campaigns, co-funded initiatives, and incentive schemes will be launched to assist airlines in establishing and maintaining new services in these high-priority markets. These efforts will be crucial in establishing Oman as a leading destination for premium travel and cultural tourism.

Oman Airports Paves the Way for Enhanced Connectivity and Tourism Growth

The strategic focus on Europe from Oman Airports signals an exciting time ahead for aviation and tourism in Oman. By appealing to underserved markets, focusing on expanding connections from Europe, and developing new airline partnerships, Oman is positioning itself as a significant contributor to global tourism. With a specific focus on cultural tourism and winter sun tourism, the increasing number of direct flights from overseas will enable visitors to easily access Oman’s rich culture and diverse offerings. As Oman Airports continues to innovate and expand its connectivity, the future of tourism in Oman is likely to thrive.