Monday 13 / April / 2026
MUSCAT: As regional geopolitical tensions disrupted airspace and strained travel networks recently, Oman moved swiftly to stabilise aviation and port operations, ensuring uninterrupted supply chains and providing critical travel options for thousands of passengers, said Eng. Said Hamoud Al Maawali, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
Speaking to mediapersons at a press conference on Monday, Al Maawali said, “This was achieved by safeguarding the continuity of regional supply chains and facilitating passenger air traffic through an increase in flights, while accommodating a large number of airlines and private jets.”
Adrian Hamilton-Manns, SalamAir’s Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the airline’s extensive response during the period, noting close coordination with Oman Airports and Oman Air.
“We introduced charter flights beyond our regular network, arranged bus transfers from the UAE, and operated flights to new destinations we had not previously served,” he said.
Hamilton-Manns added that operations were conducted under strict safety and security measures, particularly as some flights operated in or near sensitive areas.
“Our flight operations, safety and security teams worked tirelessly under challenging conditions, with close coordination from civil aviation authorities,” he said.
Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air, said that Oman Air played a critical role in facilitating travel as neighbouring countries temporarily closed their airspace, triggering a surge in demand.
“People were crossing borders in search of available flights, and we played a pivotal role in supporting communities in need—whether to return home or to leave affected areas,” he said.
The airline assisted tens of thousands of passengers during the peak repatriation period, which witnessed an unprecedented spike in demand.
“We had to act quickly to mobilise aircraft and crew, while also expanding operations to new destinations. It created immense operational and commercial pressure,” Korfiatis said.
Despite the challenges, Oman Air maintained around 80 per cent of its network without interruption and significantly increased the number of additional flights.
“We supported passengers through multiple measures, including cross-border transport, additional sales points at airports and borders, and close cooperation with embassies, travel agents and tour operators,” he added.
Korfiatis described the situation as unprecedented, noting that airport scenes at times resembled peak travel periods in major global hubs.
“That reflects the scale of the situation. It was a privilege to be part of such an effort, and I thank everyone involved for their dedication,” he said.
