ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Oman’s low-cost carrier SalamAir has launched the first-ever direct scheduled air service between Oman and Indonesia, marking a new chapter in aviation connectivity between the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The inaugural Muscat–Medan flight, which began operations on July 3, 2026, is expected to stimulate tourism, facilitate business travel, and deepen economic links between the two countries. The new route also gives travelers from the Gulf region easier access to Indonesia’s world-renowned natural attractions in North Sumatra.
Operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, the service is flown using the airline’s modern Airbus A321neo, with a flight time of approximately six hours.
SalamAir selected Medan, Indonesia’s third-largest city, as its first destination in the country because of its strategic location as the main gateway to North Sumatra, one of Indonesia’s emerging tourism and commercial hubs.
From Medan, international visitors can easily continue their journey to Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake and one of Indonesia’s priority tourism destinations, as well as Bukit Lawang, a globally recognized ecotourism site renowned for its Sumatran orangutan conservation area.
The direct route eliminates the need for multiple transit connections, making travel between Oman and Indonesia faster and more convenient for tourists, business travelers, and the Indonesian diaspora in the Gulf region.
One-way fares start from 55 Omani rials (around US$143), positioning the service as a competitively priced option for passengers traveling between the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The flight schedule is as follows:
– Fridays: Depart Muscat at 5:45 p.m., arriving in Medan at 3:15 a.m. local time the following day. The return flight departs Medan at 4:00 a.m. and lands in Muscat at 7:25 a.m.
– Tuesdays: Depart Muscat at 5:25 p.m., arriving in Medan at 2:55 a.m. local time. The return service leaves Medan at 3:40 a.m. and arrives in Muscat at 7:05 a.m.
The new connection reflects a broader trend of expanding air links between the Gulf and Southeast Asia as airlines respond to growing demand for leisure travel, cross-border business, and investment flows.
For Indonesia, the Muscat–Medan route represents more than just a new flight. It strengthens North Sumatra’s position as an international gateway, broadens access to one of the country’s most distinctive tourism regions, and supports national efforts to diversify foreign visitor arrivals beyond traditional destinations such as Bali and Jakarta.
As air connectivity continues to expand, the new service is expected to contribute to stronger people-to-people exchanges and closer economic cooperation between Indonesia, Oman, and the wider Middle East. (AT Network)
Follow Us at Google News, WA Channel, and LinkedIn