SalamAir launches direct Muscat-Sylhet service

Dhaka: Oman’s low-cost carrier SalamAir has launched direct flights between Muscat and Sylhet, becoming the first foreign airline to operate scheduled international services to Osmani International Airport currently.

The inaugural flight, carrying 133 passengers, arrived at Sylhet airport at around 8 a.m. on September 1. The aircraft was welcomed with a water-cannon salute, while arriving passengers received flowers and sweets at a reception ceremony.

The service will initially operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, providing a direct link between Oman and northeastern Bangladesh.

The inaugural flight departed Muscat International Airport with a load factor of about 70 percent, according to SalamAir. Before departure, SalamAir CEO Adrian Hamilton-Manns and representatives of the airline met Mahmudur Rahman, Chargé d’Affaires of the Bangladesh Embassy in Oman.

The new route is expected to particularly benefit Sylhet’s large expatriate community, including travelers who regularly move between Bangladesh and Oman and passengers connecting onward to destinations such as London.

SalamAir currently operates seven weekly flights between Dhaka and Muscat and 12 weekly flights between Chattogram and Muscat. With the launch of the Sylhet service, it becomes the first and only international airline currently operating scheduled services to all three international airports in Bangladesh.

Selim Al Raji, SalamAir’s Area In-charge in Sylhet, said the airline plans to increase the route to daily service from January, subject to operational plans and demand.

The airline said the new connection will reduce the need for travelers to use connecting airports and support greater mobility for expatriates, workers, tourists and business travelers.