• SalamAir will begin twice-weekly non-stop flights between Muscat and Mogadishu from 3 September 2026.
• The service marks the first direct air link between Oman and Somalia.
• The route expands SalamAir’s African network and aligns with Oman Vision 2040 objectives on connectivity and economic diversification.

SalamAir has announced the launch of a bi-weekly service to Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ) from 3 September 2026, marking the first-ever non-stop link between the Sultanate of Oman and the Somali capital. The Oman‑based low‑cost carrier announced the service in mid‑February 2026, positioning the connection as a direct link between the Gulf and the Horn of Africa, with servictwice-weekly operate on its Airbus A320 fleet. The new route expands the airline’s growing African network and strengthens its strategic focus on developing new markets through affordable and reliable air travel.

Mogadishu, one of East Africa’s oldest coastal capitals, is located along the Indian Ocean and serves as a maritime and commercial gateway linking East Africa with the Middle East and Asia. The city has recorded increased business activity in recent years, alongside growth in trade, investment and hospitality services.

Commenting on the launch, Adrian Hamilton-Manns, Chief Executive Officer of SalamAir, said: “Launching the first direct service between Oman and Mogadishu is a strategic milestone for SalamAir and is part of our strategy of developing new markets. We continue to expand our network in East Africa and expect to add more currently unserved destinations in the near future. Somalia is the third East African country in our network, joining Kenya and Sudan. Somalia has seen significant economic growth and development in recent years; our direct flights will further stimulate the economy and help create new travel and trade opportunities.”

With one-way Lite fares starting from OMR 79.99, SalamAir stated that the schedule has been designed to provide convenient connections across the GCC, the Indian Subcontinent and its expanding European network, offering passengers additional travel options. The Mogadishu route is part of SalamAir’s growth strategy, aligned with Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to enhance international connectivity, support tourism development, facilitate trade flows, and contribute to economic diversification. The airline indicated that expanding direct air links into high-growth markets supports Oman’s positioning as a regional aviation and transit hub.

The route is expected to reduce travel time and costs for both passengers and cargo, strengthening trade, business engagement and diaspora connectivity, according to airline executives and industry observers. SalamAir’s CEO Adrian Hamilton‑Manns described the Mogadishu service as a strategic milestone and part of a wider expansion into underserved markets, noting that Somalia is the third East African destination for the carrier after Kenya and Sudan, and that the airline plans to add more cities in the near future. 

Direct flights between the Gulf and East Africa can stimulate bilateral commerce, particularly in sectors like agriculture, livestock, fisheries and light manufacturing, by enabling faster movement of goods and business personnel, while also making it easier for Somali expatriates in the Middle East to visit family and support remittance flows, a key economic lifeline for Somalia, which receives billions annually in diaspora transfers. 

By Cynthia Ebot Takang