Oman Air has signed a memorandum of understanding with LCC SalamAir to increase cooperation between the airlines.

The flag-carrier says the “ground-breaking” agreement will see the two “foster collaboration, synergise our networks for efficiency and elevated passenger service.”

A statement released by Oman Air adds: “This is an exciting milestone for Oman’s aviation sector and for the realisation of Oman’s 2040 Vision.” The long-term vision for the country includes plans to diversify its economy away from oil and gas.

The partnership between Oman Air and SalamAir comes after Oman’s Transport, Communications and Information Technology Minister Saeed bin Mahmoud Al Maawali revealed on Aug. 7 that Oman Air would be reorganized with the aim of returning to profitability in the next four to five years after breakeven by 2026.

A statement added that unspecified “integration” would take place between Oman Air and SalamAir, which is also state owned. It is hoped the enhanced cooperation will help to increase traffic at Oman's Muscat International Airport and increase the number of destinations served from the airport.

The agreement between the airlines was signed by Nasser Al Salmi, acting CEO of Oman Air, and Mohammed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir. Al Salmi was until recently CCO at the airline.

Analysis of data provided by OAG Schedules Analyser for the week commencing Aug. 7 shows that Oman Air and LCC SalamAir collectively offer 97 routes, competing on 18 of them. Oman Air’s network spans 43 routes, while SalamAir serves 54 airport pairs.

The two airlines already have a codeshare partnership that started in October 2020. The agreement covers flights connecting Muscat with Dhaka, Bangladesh; Jaipur, India; and Prague, Czech Republic, among others.

Oman Air operates a fleet of 46 aircraft, comprising four Airbus A330-200s, six A330-300s, 13 Boeing 737-8s, nine 737-800s, five 737-900ERs, two 787-8s and seven 787-9s. SalamAir, meanwhile, has six A320s and eight A321s. It also has a firm order for six Embraer E195-E2s, which will make it the first E2 operator in the Middle East.

On Aug. 9, Aviation Week reported that SalamAir is set to expand its South Asia network over the coming weeks by bolstering direct connectivity between Oman and Pakistan. Four new routes from Muscat are being launched to Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.