The first Muscat-Shiraz route operated by SalamAir, an Omani airline, was officially launched on Wednesday, in a bid to facilitate travel between the two countries, said the airline's CEO.
According to Mohamed Ahmed, the flights carry passengers between the two cities twice a week, IRNA reported.
The new route has been launched following Omanis' growing interest in the attractions of Iran's historically rich province of Fars as well as its health services.
According to Al-Omaniah News Service, Shiraz has been chosen as a flight destination as its advanced medical services, especially in ophthalmology, are well-known among Omanis.
"Despite its increasing popularity as a medical and tourism destination, Shiraz had remained an under-served route for years with no direct flights from Muscat," said Captain Mohamed Ahmed.
"The route can contribute to the development of bilateral ties between the two states, both in commerce and tourism," Ahmed said.
Affordable tickets are currently available for booking of $208, at SalamAir's official website, he added.
Since its launch, SalamAir has kept a close eye on the market, analyzing demands and identifying emerging trends that have allowed it to remain competitive in the current economic climate.
Following this approach, the airline is seeking to launch flights to two other Iranian destinations, namely Tehran and Mashhad, as well as other routes in Asia.
Resuming Kish Flights
Moreover, flights from Kish Island to the Omani capital Muscat, operated by Kish Airlines, which had been halted last year, have been resumed to link another Iranian city to the Arab neighbor.
The flights were officially resumed on Wednesday and will operate every Saturday and Wednesday.
According to Mohammadreza Nouri, Iranian ambassador to Oman, it is a pity that the island's tourism potential has not been properly promoted so far to the neighboring countries.
He described the resumed flights between Kish and Muscat as an opportunity to publicize the island's attractions and called on relevant organizations to produce proper promotional material to highlight the untapped potential of the Persian Gulf Island.
"Offering special tour packages at low prices can also contribute to increasing the number of tourists to Kish," Nouri said.
Currently, Omani airlines operate direct flights to Tehran and Mashhad on a daily basis. Additionally, Iranian Aseman and Kish airline companies operate three routes between Muscat and the Iranian cities of Shiraz, Bandar Abbas and Qeshm.
