Etihad Airways expands Oman network with new Salalah route

ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways launched direct flights between Abu Dhabi and the Omani city of Salalah on Wednesday, expanding its regional network and targeting growing demand for short-haul leisure travel during Oman’s annual Khareef season.

The UAE’s national carrier said the new year-round route began operations on May 21 with two weekly flights and will increase to five flights per week from June 15 as visitor numbers rise during the monsoon season that transforms Salalah’s coastline and mountains into lush green landscapes.

The move marks Etihad’s second destination in Oman after Muscat, where the airline has operated for two decades.

“With a flight time of under two hours, the new route offers an easy and refreshing summer escape for travellers from Abu Dhabi and across Etihad’s expanding global network,” the airline said in a statement.

Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves said the launch reflected the airline’s strategy to strengthen connectivity with Oman while expanding access to key regional leisure destinations.

“Salalah is a truly unique destination, renowned for its lush landscapes, pristine beaches and rich cultural heritage, particularly during the Khareef season, when it transforms into one of the Arabian Peninsula’s most captivating holiday escapes,” Neves said.

The new service comes as Gulf airlines continue to expand regional and seasonal routes to capture rising tourism demand and diversify revenue streams beyond long-haul transit traffic.

Salalah, located in southern Oman, has become an increasingly popular destination for Gulf travellers during the summer months due to its cooler climate and seasonal rainfall, which contrast sharply with the extreme heat across much of the region.

Etihad said the expanded schedule would strengthen connectivity between Abu Dhabi and destinations across Europe, Asia and India while providing easier access to southern Oman through its international network.

The Salalah launch also forms part of Etihad’s broader summer expansion programme, which includes new or seasonal routes to several leisure destinations across Europe and Africa, including Krakow, Palma de Mallorca and Zanzibar, alongside returning seasonal services to Santorini, Mykonos, Malaga, Nice and El Alamein.

Founded in 2003, Etihad has grown into one of the Middle East’s largest airlines, operating passenger and cargo services across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.