Tuesday 16 / December / 2025
MUSCAT: The launch of the first-ever direct flights between Oman and Singapore is expected to significantly deepen bilateral trade, stimulate two-way tourism and open new commercial gateways across Asia-Pacific through the oneworld alliance, senior officials said.
Oman Air will begin four weekly non-stop services between Muscat and Singapore from 2 July 2026, marking a historic milestone in relations between the two countries as they celebrate 40 years of diplomatic ties.
Describing the new air link as transformational, Syed Noureddin bin Syed Hassim, Charge d’Affaires and Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore, said direct connectivity would unlock untapped potential across tourism, trade and investment.
In his exclusive remarks to Times of Oman, he said: “This is a very exciting and meaningful development, coming in the 40th anniversary year of Singapore–Oman diplomatic relations.”
“For the first time, we have true point-to-point connectivity between our two countries, and that fundamentally changes the possibilities for travel, business and people-to-people exchanges.”
He noted that Oman remains a “hidden gem” for many Singaporeans and Southeast Asian travellers, despite its growing reputation as a premium, experience-led destination.
“Once visitors experience Oman, they are genuinely taken by what the country has to offer,” he said.
“With direct flights, even short leisure breaks become possible, and that is something Singaporean travellers are already very accustomed to.”
Trade poised for next phase of growth
Beyond tourism, officials expect the new route to accelerate commercial engagement between the two economies. Bilateral trade currently exceeds OMR 500 million annually, with petrochemicals accounting for a significant share.
“At over half a billion rials, trade between Singapore and Oman already has a strong base, but there is clear scope for growth,” Syed Noureddin said.
“Greater awareness, easier access and more frequent business travel will naturally lead to deeper commercial ties.”
He highlighted emerging opportunities in logistics, digital services, Fintech, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, noting that both countries are strategically positioned at opposite ends of the Indian Ocean.
“Oman and Singapore can function as complementary hubs — Oman serving the GCC, East Africa and Europe, and Singapore connecting into Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific,” he said. “This is where the real strategic value lies.”
Syed Noureddin also pointed to strong alignment in sustainability and clean energy ambitions.
“With Oman’s solar and wind potential and Singapore’s energy transition needs, there is significant scope for cooperation in renewables and green technologies,” he said.
Oneworld alliance opens global networks
The Muscat–Singapore route gains additional significance following Oman Air’s recent entry into the oneworld alliance, providing passengers with seamless onward connections to key markets including Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and beyond.
Oman Air CEO Con Korfiatis said the route would allow the airline to tap into high-demand Asia-Pacific corridors while strengthening Muscat’s role as a bridge between East and West.
Singapore’s Changi Airport, one of the world’s leading aviation hubs with a strong oneworld presence, will serve as a critical gateway for connecting traffic into Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Officials on both sides stressed that the impact would extend well beyond aviation and commerce.
“These links are not new — they go back centuries through maritime trade across the Indian Ocean,” Syed Noureddin said. “What we are doing now is modernising and institutionalising those connections for the next phase of growth.”
He added that stronger air connectivity would deepen cultural understanding and people-to-people exchanges, reinforcing the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
“Singapore and Oman share common sensibilities as maritime nations that value openness, international law and cooperation,” he said. “This direct air link reflects that shared outlook and our mutual respect.”
The Muscat–Singapore service will initially operate four times a week using Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with ambitions to scale up to daily flights as demand grows.
For Oman, the route positions Muscat as a strategic stopover hub linking Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe, while for Singapore, it opens direct access to one of the Gulf’s fastest-emerging tourism and investment destinations.
As Korfiatis summed up: “With demand growing for distinctive destinations and high-quality travel experiences, this service expands choice for both leisure and business travellers. It also reinforces Muscat’s role as an important hub between East and West, enabling efficient connectivity between Asia-Pacific markets and Europe complemented by our oneworld partners.”
Lim Ching Kiat, Executive Vice President, Air Hub & Cargo Development of Changi Airport Group added, “Oman Air's new direct service to Muscat will introduce an exciting city link to Changi Airport's wide connectivity network, while creating new travel opportunities between the two markets.”
Oman Air, IndiGo in codeshare talks, plan network expansion
Oman Air is in advanced discussions with India’s IndiGo Airlines to establish a codeshare partnership, a move expected to significantly expand the airline’s reach across the Indian market, according to Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer of Oman Air.
Rutter said the proposed agreement would allow Oman Air to access a wider network of Indian cities through IndiGo’s extensive domestic and regional footprint, strengthening connectivity between India, Oman and onward destinations via Muscat.
India remains one of Oman Air’s largest and most strategic markets, and the airline has already increased frequencies to several Indian destinations while pursuing further growth under existing bilateral frameworks.
Meanwhile, Oman Air CEO Con Korfiatis confirmed that the airline is actively evaluating four to five new destinations for launch in 2026, in line with its long-term network strategy following its entry into the oneworld alliance.
Korfiatis said the airline is working with a five-year network plan, with new routes being assessed based on commercial sustainability, fleet availability and strategic alignment.
To support this expansion, Oman Air is also undertaking a phased fleet growth programme. The airline currently operates nine Boeing 787 wide-body aircraft, with one additional aircraft expected to rejoin the fleet in the near term, taking the total to ten. A further six Boeing 787s are scheduled for delivery from 2027 onwards.
On the narrow-body side, Oman Air’s Boeing 737 fleet will continue to grow, with another aircraft joining the fleet in January, and additional narrow-body capacity planned from 2026 to support regional and medium-haul network expansion.
