-KATHMANDU
Salam Air — a low-cost airline from Oman headquartered and based at Muscat International Airport has decided to operate direct flights to Nepal as it moves to cater to growing travel demand of tourists.
The carrier will be operating a daily service starting September 11th, 2018. It received operating authorization from the Civil Aviation Ministry of Nepal.
The carrier will fly to Kathmandu from Muscat International Airport— one of the main international airport in Oman and is situated 32 km from the old city and capital Muscat within the Muscat metropolitan area. According to tourism ministry officials, the budget carrier has received permission to fly to Kathmandu four times a week. The fare of the carrier is OMR 61.
Highly Placed source stated that Air Transport Division of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is working for the approval of carrier’s airport slot, or landing rights, at the recommendation of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) slot management committee. The carrier will be operating its Airbus A320ceo aircraft to serve this route.
Salam Air is owned by the Muscat National Development and is an associate of Investment Company (ASAAS) which won a government tender in January. Founded in 2014, ASAAS is a partnership between the State General Reserve Fund, Muscat Municipality, and various pension funds. It operates a fleet of three aircraft — three Airbus A320ceo with Six A320neo on order.
Salam will be the second airlines to link Muscat with Kathmandu after Oman Air, the national airline of Oman.
