
Oman secures return of citizens, other nationals from Iran
Muscat: As part of the fifth phase of its national evacuation plan, the Oman Foreign Ministry, in coordination with relevant authorities in the Sultanate and Oman's diplomatic mission in Tehran, successfully repatriated 181 Omanis and several foreign nationals.
'The evacuees were transported from Mashhad in the Islamic Republic of Iran, transiting through Turkmenistan. They arrived safely by air at Muscat International Airport today,' the ministry added.
In a related effort, the Foreign Ministry announced the implementation of the fourth phase of its evacuation plan. Oman received 294 evacuated citizens at Muscat International Airport via the Republic of Turkiye, along with a number of nationals from other countries.
The Foreign Ministry expresses its deep appreciation for the integrated efforts of all relevant national authorities, particularly the support teams and field committees, as well as the constructive cooperation with the friendly Turkish authorities, which contributed to the smooth and safe execution of this phase.
The Ministry also affirms its commitment to proceeding with the subsequent phases of the evacuation plan through continuous coordination with parties concerned inside and outside Oman, ensuring the safety and secure return of citizens to their homeland.
With this phase, the total number of Omani citizens evacuated so far has risen to 1,188, while the number of other nationals whose return was facilitated stands at 281. This reflects Oman's humanitarian considerations and ongoing coordination efforts with brotherly and friendly nations.
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Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Oman secures return of citizens, other nationals from Iran
Muscat: As part of the fifth phase of its national evacuation plan, the Oman Foreign Ministry, in coordination with relevant authorities in the Sultanate and Oman's diplomatic mission in Tehran, successfully repatriated 181 Omanis and several foreign nationals. 'The evacuees were transported from Mashhad in the Islamic Republic of Iran, transiting through Turkmenistan. They arrived safely by air at Muscat International Airport today,' the ministry added. In a related effort, the Foreign Ministry announced the implementation of the fourth phase of its evacuation plan. Oman received 294 evacuated citizens at Muscat International Airport via the Republic of Turkiye, along with a number of nationals from other countries. The Foreign Ministry expresses its deep appreciation for the integrated efforts of all relevant national authorities, particularly the support teams and field committees, as well as the constructive cooperation with the friendly Turkish authorities, which contributed to the smooth and safe execution of this phase. The Ministry also affirms its commitment to proceeding with the subsequent phases of the evacuation plan through continuous coordination with parties concerned inside and outside Oman, ensuring the safety and secure return of citizens to their homeland. With this phase, the total number of Omani citizens evacuated so far has risen to 1,188, while the number of other nationals whose return was facilitated stands at 281. This reflects Oman's humanitarian considerations and ongoing coordination efforts with brotherly and friendly nations.


Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
From misty mountains to lush valleys: Dhofar's Khareef Season begins Saturday
Muscat: The Khareef (monsoon) 2025 season in Dhofar will officially begin tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, 2025 affecting the coastal wilayats of the governorate—from Dhalkut in the west to Mirbat in the east—due to the onset of seasonal winds and cloud formations flowing in from the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The season will continue until September 21. The Khareef is renowned for its cloudy, drizzly weather and moderate temperatures, especially in the elevated mountainous areas, which are often blanketed in mist and light rain. This unique climate transforms Dhofar into a stunning green landscape, making it a top destination for both local and international tourists. Throughout the season, water flow in the governorate's natural springs increases, with many becoming popular attractions, including Razat, Hamran, Jarziz, Sahalnoot, and Tabraq springs. Seasonal waterfalls like Darbat, Athum, Khor, Gogob, and Al-Hoota also flourish, depending on rainfall levels. Dhofar's natural and historical landmarks—including its diverse coastal, agricultural, mountainous, and desert environments—draw significant attention. Its UNESCO-listed sites, such as Al-Baleed and Samharam archaeological parks, the Land of Frankincense Museum, and ancient forts in Rakhyut, Taqah, Mirbat, and Sadah, are popular attractions. The region also boasts dreamy beaches, scenic lagoons, and nature reserves that offer sanctuary to rare wildlife and endangered ecosystems. During the Khareef, Salalah's shopping centres and markets experience high activity, especially in stores selling traditional Omani products such as frankincense, incense, silverware, pottery, Omani sweets, and local cuisine. The Salalah Plain also produces a rich variety of tropical fruits, with coconut (nargil), bananas, papayas, and sugarcane being the most popular. In anticipation of the influx of tourists, both public and private sectors prepare annually to provide convenient services and facilities, especially with several regional airlines announcing direct seasonal flights to Salalah Airport. Notably, Dhofar welcomed over 1.006 million visitors during the 2024 Khareef season—a 9% increase from 2023—with total visitor spending estimated at 120 million Omani rials, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information.


Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Dhofar's Khareef Season boosted by new Saudi Airlines route
Muscat: Salalah Airport in Dhofar Governorate today welcomed the inaugural Saudi Airlines flight from Jeddah, marking the commencement of three weekly flights between Salalah and Jeddah throughout the 2025 Dhofar Khareef (monsoon) season. Eng. Zakariya bin Yaqub Al-Harasi, Deputy CEO of Salalah Airport, affirmed the airport's comprehensive readiness to receive travellers during the bustling Khareef season. He highlighted the participation of 12 local and international carriers and projected a significant surge in passenger traffic and flight operations compared to last year. This increase is attributed to continuous efforts to enhance operational efficiency, upgrade service quality, and streamline travel procedures. Passenger numbers are expected to exceed 900,000 this season, a substantial increase from 692,626 in the previous year, representing a nearly 37% rise. This growth underscores the increasing appeal of Dhofar's tourism season and the expansion of air connectivity. Al-Harasi further detailed the diverse origins of incoming visitors, stating that the majority of travellers (62.5%) will come from within Oman, followed by 35.7% from GCC countries, and 1.8% from India. Air traffic at Salalah Airport is also set for a notable increase of 36%, with over 5,000 inbound and outbound flights expected, up from 3,869 flights in 2024. A key milestone this season is the addition of Saudi Airlines to the roster of carriers operating direct flights to Salalah. This move significantly enhances connectivity and tourism ties between Oman and Saudi Arabia, offering travellers more options. Al-Harasi also highlighted Oman Airports' continued investment in digital services to improve the travel experience, including the "Safar As'hal" ('Travel Made Easier') initiative, now in its second year. This initiative features self-service kiosks, pre-check-in services, and information centres, all aimed at reducing wait times and streamlining processes. Meanwhile, His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's accredited ambassador to Oman, praised the occasion as a reflection of the wise leadership in both nations and their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He emphasized the economic, tourism, and cultural benefits of these air links in serving the mutual interests of the two countries. He noted that the inaugural Saudi flight to Salalah carried not only Saudi and Omani passengers but also travellers of various nationalities—underscoring the international dimension of this direct air route.