The Government of the Sultanate of Oman has completed its acquisition of SalamAir, marking a significant move in the country’s aviation sector while reaffirming its commitment to maintaining a dual-airline model.
Authorities confirmed that SalamAir and Oman Air will continue to operate as fully independent brands, preserving their respective operational identities, fleets, and service offerings.
Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said the strategy is designed to minimise overlap between the two carriers’ route networks while ensuring optimal utilisation of resources.
The approach aims to strengthen connectivity within Oman and across regional and international markets, while offering passengers a wider range of travel options across both full-service and low-cost segments.
Officials indicated that the move is part of a broader restructuring effort to enhance operational efficiency across the aviation sector. By aligning route planning and improving cost structures, the government expects to boost financial performance not only for the airlines but also for related ground service providers.
The dual-brand strategy reflects a model increasingly seen in global aviation, in which governments and airline groups maintain separate carriers that target different market segments while leveraging shared infrastructure and strategic coordination.
The acquisition is expected to support Oman’s long-term ambitions to position itself as a regional aviation hub, balancing cost efficiency with expanded connectivity and service diversity.
As the integration progresses, the focus will remain on improving revenue quality, optimising fleet deployment, and strengthening the overall competitiveness of Oman’s aviation ecosystem.
