logo
Oman: SalamAir expands fleet with new Airbus A321neo aircraft

Oman: SalamAir expands fleet with new Airbus A321neo aircraft

Zawya5 days ago
Muscat – SalamAir, the Sultanate of Oman's budget carrier, has announced the arrival of its newest Airbus A321neo aircraft, named 'Mutrah' after a public vote by guests and followers on Instagram. The arrival of this aircraft brings SalamAir's fleet to 14 aircraft, underscoring its ongoing commitment to enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer experience, and reducing the environmental impact of its operations.
The aircraft features advanced, highly efficient CFM LEAP-1A engines, which contribute to a 20% reduction in fuel consumption per seat and significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The aircraft also complies with global environmental standards, achieving a 50% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and a noise reduction of more than 15 decibels compared to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard.
The aircraft features 212 seats with a modern interior design, including USB charging ports in every seat, allowing our valued customers to enjoy a comfortable and smooth travel experience. The aircraft's operational range reaches 4,000 nautical miles, giving Salam Air greater flexibility in operating medium- and long-haul flights.
'The addition of the new A321neo to our fleet is an important step in enhancing our operational capacity in preparation for the peak season,' said Adrian Hamilton Mans, CEO of SalamAir . 'This aircraft gives us greater operational flexibility, enhances our ability to meet flight schedules, and improves our operational KPI.' He added, 'With the addition of this aircraft and another expected later this month, our average fleet age will be reduced from 5.6 years to approximately 4.8 years, making us one of the youngest airlines in the region. This is in line with our strategy of focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and reliability, while delivering added value to our guests.'
The addition of the A321neo aircraft further strengthens SalamAir's comprehensive strategy, which focuses on fleet modernization, network expansion, and operational efficiency. With a newer, more efficient fleet, the airline is fully prepared to explore new markets, increase flight frequencies to high-demand destinations, and further contribute to the growth of the aviation and tourism sectors in the Sultanate of Oman.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Abu Dhabi real estate: Residential prices surge 17.3% with strong demand from global investors
Abu Dhabi real estate: Residential prices surge 17.3% with strong demand from global investors

Arabian Business

time9 hours ago

  • Arabian Business

Abu Dhabi real estate: Residential prices surge 17.3% with strong demand from global investors

Abu Dhabi's residential property market continued its robust growth in Q2 2025, with average prices rising 6.4 per cent quarter-on-quarter to AED1,230 per sq ft ($335), according to Knight Frank's latest Abu Dhabi Residential Market Review. This brings the total annual price growth in the emirate to 17.3 per cent, marking a 31.3 per cent increase since Q1 2020. Apartments led the quarterly gains, climbing 6.8 per cent to AED 1,296 per sq ft ($353), reflecting a 17.3 per cent year-on-year rise. Abu Dhabi real estate prices Al Raha Beach and Al Saadiyat Island were standout locations for apartment price growth, up 11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively since H1 2024. Both areas offer prime beachfront living, with Al Raha Beach benefiting from its proximity to Yas Island's leisure attractions. Villas outperformed over the long term, posting a 3.4 per cent quarterly increase to AED 1,103 per sq ft ($300), with prices up 42.3 per cent since Q1 2020. Villas on Al Saadiyat Island recorded a 28 per cent year-on-year jump, followed by Yas Island with a 22 per cent rise. Villas represent 37.4 per cent of Abu Dhabi's supply pipeline, where demand remains strong due to limited new villa developments and competitive pricing compared to Dubai. Residential transactions reached AED9bn ($2.45bn) in H1 2025, down 36 per cent from H1 2024, reflecting supply constraints despite the delivery of 890 new units. However, more than 33,000 homes are under construction and expected by 2029, with apartments comprising 62 per cent of this future supply. Yas Island leads new developments with more than 8,000 units, followed by Al Shamkha with around 3,000 units. Branded residences by Aldar at Mandarin Oriental and Nobu also bolster Saadiyat Island's pipeline. Knight Frank highlights growing interest from international buyers attracted by Abu Dhabi's lifestyle amenities and business environment. Private capital targeting Abu Dhabi's residential market is estimated at $1.6bn, making it the UAE's second most popular destination after Dubai. Demand from global high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) continues to rise, with 19 per cent intending to purchase property in Abu Dhabi in 2025, up from 14 per cent last year. Particularly strong interest comes from those with wealth between $30m and $50m, where 75 per cent plan to buy, and 65 per cent of those above $50m express similar intentions. Shehzad Jamal, Partner – Strategy and Consulting, MENA, said: 'Some 63 per cent of global high-net-worth individuals interested in buying in Abu Dhabi are doing so for personal reasons; they intend to use the property as their main residence, or holiday home, or for retirement. 'The remaining 37 per cent are investment-driven. For buyers who may have been priced out of Dubai, or who want to diversify their UAE portfolio, Abu Dhabi is increasingly attractive, with average residential prices growing by around 17 percent year-on-year.' With average residential prices approximately 30 per cent lower than Dubai, Abu Dhabi's market offers attractive value for investors and homebuyers amid continued strong demand and limited supply.

UAE Property: ‘Are rent increases capped in Dubai?'
UAE Property: ‘Are rent increases capped in Dubai?'

The National

time9 hours ago

  • The National

UAE Property: ‘Are rent increases capped in Dubai?'

Question: I heard rent increases in Dubai are capped. How does that work? I'm trying to understand as I'm not sure my landlord is being entirely fair with me. SP, Dubai Answer: Rent increases in Dubai are regulated through the Real Estate Regulatory Agency's smart rental index. Landlords can raise the rent only if your current total is below the market average for similar properties – and only by a fixed percentage, depending on how far below that average your rent is. Here is a breakdown: Less than 10 per cent below average – No increase allowed 11 per cent to 20 per cent below – Up to 5 per cent increase 21 per cent to 30 per cent below – Up to 10 per cent 31 per cent to 40 per cent below – Up to 15 per cent More than 40 per cent – Up to 20 per cent Even if an increase is allowed, the landlord must still give you 90 days' written notice before lease renewal of any changes to the contract. If this deadline is missed, no changes are allowed and the contract will be renewed under the same terms and conditions. You can verify your rent category using the Dubai Land Department's smart rent calculator online either through the Dubai Rest app or the DLD website. Q: My lease has just expired but we haven't signed a new contract with the landlord yet. Can my landlord still increase the rent? BF, Dubai A: Your landlord cannot legally increase the rent unless they provided you with 90 days' written notice before the lease expiry and only if the smart rental index allows for the increase. This is a firm requirement under the Dubai Tenancy Law (Law No. 26 of 2007, amended by Law No. 33 of 2008). Even if the lease has technically expired, it is automatically renewed under the same terms and conditions as before, unless the landlord notified you in time of any changes, which would include a rent increase. Without this, the rent amount remains unchanged for the new term. If your landlord insists otherwise, you are within your rights to refuse and escalate to the Dubai Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) if necessary. Q: My landlord wants to sell the property I rent. Can I be evicted for this reason? I've read what the law says but am a bit confused. Can you clarify as my wife and I are settled in our apartment and do not wish to move? VJ, Dubai A: You can be evicted for the reason of selling but only after you are given a 12-month written notice through notary public or registered mail. The landlord must clearly state that the reason for eviction is to sell the property, and that notice should be served before the lease renewal, although some judges do allow this notice to be served at any time. Watch: Property investors get more selective, experts say This rule is laid out in Article 25(2) of the Dubai Tenancy Law. Even if the sale goes through, the new buyer must honour your existing lease unless they also issue their own 12-month notice for personal use. If you suspect the notice is just a pretext to remove you for a higher-paying tenant, you can report this to the RDSC, which may fine the landlord or order compensation. For this suspicion to be taken seriously, you should arm yourself with as much evidence as you can. It's also possible that you may have to move out but keep an eye on the property. If you subsequently have proof that the owner didn't sell the property and rented it out again, you would be in your rights to seek compensation through the RDSC.

Vertical Baghdad: Towering new skyline signals progress - but at what cost?
Vertical Baghdad: Towering new skyline signals progress - but at what cost?

The National

time9 hours ago

  • The National

Vertical Baghdad: Towering new skyline signals progress - but at what cost?

A quiet dawn in the Iraqi capital reveals a silhouette very unlike the one that defined the city for centuries. Once a tapestry of ornate wooden balconies, brick facades, inner courtyards and shaded alleys, the skyline of Baghdad is now punctuated by gleaming residential towers – raising both hope and debate. The high-rises are transforming Iraq's war-scarred capital and are hailed as symbols of normality, economic revival, and a much-needed solution to a housing crisis. But beneath the surface lies a battle over tradition, equity, and what it means to belong in Baghdad. 'Baghdad is experiencing rapid urban densification without adequate planning or regulation,' Noor Makiya, an urban designer from architectural consulting firm WMN Atelier, told The National. 'This is a common issue in developing or post-conflict cities where economic pressures often drive unregulated development with no consideration to zoning or building codes,' Ms Makiya said. In her view, money and speculative investments prioritise development over the human element. As a result, construction 'is driven by abstract concepts like growth and profit rather than cultural significance or the well-being of the city residents,' she added. Over the past five years, Baghdad, home to around eight million people, has undergone a transformation unlike anything seen since its postwar reconstruction. From sprawling complexes along the airport road to a futuristic, glass, ziggurat-inspired project, the capital is building upwards, and fast. When I was a child, Baghdad breathed. Now, it chokes Baghdad resident Saad Hameed Some welcome the change. To Mutaz Jala, 32, the new towers are more than just concrete, they are an escape route. 'I don't want to live in the same crowded, old houses my parents did,' said Mr Jalal, who recently moved into an apartment with his wife in a gated complex in western Baghdad. 'We finally have a clean, secure place with actual parking and stable public services, mainly electricity,' he said. 'It feels like we are part of a different Baghdad.' Cranes, concrete skeletons of half-built towers and finished skyscrapers are now claiming the sky of Baghdad. However, that has come with a hefty price. Although these projects have gone some way to addressing the housing crisis, they have added thousands of residents in already crowded zones, pushing utilities, public services and even traffic beyond their capacity. Many orchards and parks were handed over for private investment and converted to modern residential complexes. Some are crammed in with too little space between towers, or not enough green areas. Residents of some of the complexes complain of poor building quality despite the hefty prices they paid, while green areas they saw on plans were nowhere to be seen. 'What makes Baghdad unique among all the cities in the world is its distinct spirit,' structural engineer Hazem Mohamed told The National. 'Some residential complexes have been built within existing residential neighbourhoods, which are originally traditional Baghdadi areas.' Residents, he said, were surprised to see tall buildings of up to 20 storeys high, towering over their homes. 'Their privacy is completely gone,' he said. He sees these towers as 'alien' to Baghdad, where urban planning was once horizontal and which is known for social cohesion and close-knit social relationships among the people. Steel gates now seal off towering apartment blocks, many of them becoming more private enclaves, with gyms, cafes and parking lots designed more for isolation than interaction. 'This leads to the dismantling of Baghdad's original urban fabric,' he said, adding that 'it is not necessary for a city to have towers in order to be considered developed, many cities have expanded are modernised while still preserving their original urban fabric'. But many Baghdadis say they live now in a different city and the one they lived in has long gone physically except in their memories. 'Where are the date palms that used to sway?' said Baghdad resident Saad Hameed, 78, pointing towards a cluster of high-rise apartments. 'I used to hear children playing in courtyards and alleys of leafy districts. Now, it's just these ugly buildings instead, along with the hum of generators and the echo of construction,' Mr Hameed added. He criticised the push for such projects. 'We are copying the vertical models of cities like Dubai or Istanbul without asking: are they suitable for Baghdad's social and culture?' he said. 'Baghdad is not a city of towers. It is a city of neighbourhoods of shared rooftops, of alleyways where generations coexisted.' 'When I was a child, Baghdad breathed. Now, it chokes,' he said. Property prices in Baghdad have soared over the past 10 years. Political elites and well-connected developers are driving up land prices through speculative projects, using property as a vehicle to park wealth in a volatile economy, according to dealers and government officials. For middle-class Iraqis, the dream of owning a home in these complexes remains distant. Prices for both apartments and houses in the new complexes in Baghdad range from around $1,000 to nearly $6,000 per square metre. 'The city is being built by the rich, for the rich,' Mr Hameed said. 'The housing crisis is not just about supply, it's about accessibility. 'I'm not against change,' he added. 'But change must be well-planned with a vision on how to preserve the tradition and memory. Or else it's just forgetting.'

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