logo
SalamAir welcomes new Airbus A321neo to expand operations

SalamAir welcomes new Airbus A321neo to expand operations

Times of Oman2 days ago
Muscat: SalamAir, Oman's low-cost carrier, has announced the arrival of its newest aircraft, the Airbus A321neo named 'Muttrah', which was chosen through an Instagram vote by our passengers and followers. This new addition brings SalamAir's fleet to 14 aircraft and further strengthens the airline's commitment to efficient operations, enhanced passenger comfort, and environmental responsibility.
Powered by advanced CFM LEAP-1A engines, the A321neo offers significant sustainability and performance benefits, including up to 20% reduction in fuel burn per seat and lower CO₂ emissions. The aircraft also meets the highest environmental standards, with NOx emissions cut by 50% and noise levels reduced by over 15 decibels compared to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.
With a seating capacity of 212, the aircraft features a modern cabin design with USB charging ports at every seat, offering a more comfortable and connected travel experience. Its extended range of up to 4,000 nautical miles enhances SalamAir's operational flexibility and opens new opportunities for medium- and long-haul routes.
Adrian Hamilton-Manns, Chief Executive Officer of SalamAir, commented: 'The addition of this new A321neo to our fleet marks a key milestone in boosting our operational capability ahead of the peak travel season. This aircraft will provide us with greater flexibility to uphold schedule reliability and further improve our on-time performance (OTP).' He added: 'With this addition and another aircraft expected later this month, the average age of our fleet will decrease from 5.6 years to approximately 4.8 years. Operating one of the youngest fleets in the region supports our focus on efficiency, reliability, and delivering greater value to our guests.'
The addition of the A321neo also supports SalamAir's broader strategic plan, which includes fleet expansion, network diversification, and operational excellence. With a younger and more capable fleet, the airline is well-positioned to explore new markets, increase frequencies on high-demand routes, and further contribute to Oman's aviation and tourism sectors.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Over 400 participants attend Oman REFCO Esports Championship
Over 400 participants attend Oman REFCO Esports Championship

Times of Oman

time2 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

Over 400 participants attend Oman REFCO Esports Championship

Muscat: The Oman REFCO Esports Championship concluded on August 1, drawing more than 400 participants from governorates across the country and marking the largest event of its kind in Oman. Organised by Oman REFCO and Omani Gaming & Esports Committee in partnership with Active Oman, E-sports Arena and Oman Automobile Association, the two-day event represented a key step in empowering youth and advancing digital talent nationwide. Held at Active Oman Centre, the championship aimed to empower Omani youth in digital media and competitive gaming, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 to build a digital society and knowledge-based economy. Saba Al Busaidi, Head of the Omani Gaming & Esports Committee, said: 'Public-private partnerships are vital to nurturing young talent and developing their skills across diverse sectors. This collaboration serves as a strong model for how we can support young Omanis. Through the Oman REFCO Esports Championship, we are offering youth a meaningful opportunity to hone their skills within the esports ecosystem. Our joint effort directly supports the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and our shared ambition of building an advanced digital society.' Suleiman bin Abdullah Al Salmi, Head of Human Resources and Corporate Services at Oman REFCO, said: 'At Oman REFCO, we believe investing in youth is investing in the future of Oman. Our support for this championship reflects our commitment to transforming the gaming sector from a recreational space into a viable economic and professional driver that contributes to the country's economic diversification.' He added: 'Through this event, we aim to create a dynamic environment for youth, enabling them to strengthen their digital capabilities and explore new avenues in the world of digital innovation. We remain in close coordination with the Omani Gaming & Esports Committee to expand and strengthen this momentum moving forward.' Participants competed in three main categories – FIFA 25, Tekken, and Assetto Corsa – with high energy, attractive cash prizes, and motivational workshops featured throughout the competition. The championship was generously sponsored by Brigadier Jamal Al Tai, Chairman of the Oman Automobile Association and Active Oman, who praised the event's role in inspiring Omani youth and channeling their energy into emerging tech-driven fields. He said: 'The Oman Automobile Association and Active Oman is proud to support this initiative and collaborate with organizations working to build a capable digital generation that can represent the Sultanate on global platforms.' The association and Active Oman also supported event promotion and provided logistical and technical support during the championship. The Oman REFCO Esports Championship is the largest of its kind in the Sultanate, aiming to identify emerging Omani talent and prepare them for inclusion in the national esports team. Oman REFCO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the esports sector and positioning it as a strategic economic pillar of Oman's digital future.

Omani Hajj Mission reports 96% satisfaction rate with services in Mina, Arafat camps
Omani Hajj Mission reports 96% satisfaction rate with services in Mina, Arafat camps

Times of Oman

time4 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

Omani Hajj Mission reports 96% satisfaction rate with services in Mina, Arafat camps

Muscat: The Omani Hajj Mission for 1446 AH confirmed that the satisfaction rate with this year's Hajj season, in terms of overall services provided in the Mina and Arafat camps, reached 96%, compared to 89% in the 1445 AH season. This was announced during a press conference held by Ahmed Saleh Al Rashdi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and head of the Hajj Mission for 1446 AH. During the press conference, held at the ministry, he stated that the satisfaction rate among pilgrims regarding the performance of Hajj and Umrah companies in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al Madinah Al Munawwarah—covering awareness campaigns, guidance, logistical services, and catering—reached 98%. Meanwhile, satisfaction with security services stood at 100%, and healthcare services at 99% during the 1446 AH Hajj season. He added that satisfaction with the electronic registration system for Omani pilgrims reached 99%, while satisfaction with entry and exit services through land and air ports was 97.6%. He noted that 5,122 pilgrims traveled via the land route, while 8,878 used air travel, achieving a 100% fulfillment rate with a total of 14,000 pilgrims. He also highlighted several key initiatives during the 1446 AH Hajj season, including the "Endowment for the House of Ribat" initiative, which benefited over 150 pilgrims with a total amount exceeding RO 150,000. Additionally, the mobile cart initiative to assist elderly and disabled pilgrims in performing Tawaf and Sa'i served 450 pilgrims.

Housing Ministry offers 14 investment opportunities in North Al Sharqiyah
Housing Ministry offers 14 investment opportunities in North Al Sharqiyah

Times of Oman

time4 hours ago

  • Times of Oman

Housing Ministry offers 14 investment opportunities in North Al Sharqiyah

Ibra: The "Tatweer" platform of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has launched 14 agricultural and commercial investment opportunities across several wilayats in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. These opportunities are available for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and the North Al Sharqiyah Governor's Office, covering agriculture, real estate development and commercial investment. The sale of investment prospectuses for these opportunities began on Tuesday, with some prospectuses set to be available starting 14 August. Eng. Hamad Rashid Al-Sawaei, Assistant Director-General of Agriculture and Water Resources in North Al Sharqiyah, explained that the investment opportunities are designed to enable private sector institutions and companies to benefit from diverse prospects in agriculture and commerce. The agricultural opportunities aim to adopt modern farming techniques by establishing advanced projects for cultivating various crops, including figs, onions, garlic, potatoes, and date palms. He added that these projects will adopt integrated production systems, leveraging modern technologies in farming, irrigation, and post-harvest processes to ensure sustainability, high product quality, and enhanced competitiveness in regional and global markets. Meanwhile, the commercial investment opportunities allow investors to establish strategic business projects aligned with the proposed requirements. Al Sawaei noted that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has offered 12 agricultural investment opportunities across the wilayats of Ibra, Al Mudhaibi, Al Qabil, Sinaw, Bidiyah, and Dima wa Al-Ta'een. Key opportunities include: 5 investment opportunities for a fig cultivation and production project in the village of Al-Quway'ah, Sinaw, covering 20 acres; An investment opportunity for a vegetable farming project (greenhouses and open fields) in Misrun, Ibra, spanning 8 acres; An opportunity to establish a date production factory in the industrial zone of Dima wa Al-Ta'een, covering **2,135 square metres. Additionally, there is an opportunity for a date palm cultivation and "Bisur" (young date) production project in Al-Ghubbi, Bidiyah, spanning 100 acres, as well as projects for potato farming (6.3 acres), garlic cultivation (6.3 acres), and onion farming (6.3 acres) in Barzman, Sinaw. Another opportunity involves garlic and onion farming in Maghsar, Al Qabil, covering 6 acres. On his turn, Badr Ahmed Al Habsi, Director of Planning and Investment at the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, commented on the investment opportunities offered by the Governor's Office through the Tatweer platform, stating: 'The most prominent opportunity is the strategic commercial investment in Ibra, aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the goals of the sustainable development, which focus on diversifying national income sources, boosting local economies, and providing quality, sustainable job opportunities for Omani citizens." He added that there is another investment opportunity for establishing custom industrial shops based on investor proposals—a project in Al Mudhaibi on a 2,565-square-metre plot. This initiative, he said, aims to create and operate multi-purpose industrial shops catering to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), strengthening the local business environment and generating sustainable employment. The investment contract will be valid for 10 years, with a one-year grace period for preparation and setup from the contract's effective date, he pointed out.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store