• An Omani family by the waterfront in the Mutrah area of the capital Muscat. AFP
    An Omani family by the waterfront in the Mutrah area of the capital Muscat. AFP
  • A man stands at a souvenir shop in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP
    A man stands at a souvenir shop in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP
  • Visitors walk through Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP
    Visitors walk through Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP
  • The Nizwa mosque is seen from the Nizwa fort. AFP
    The Nizwa mosque is seen from the Nizwa fort. AFP
  • A view from the walls of the Nizwa Fort, a 17th-century fortification in the city of the same name, about 160 kilometres southwest of the capital Muscat. AFP
    A view from the walls of the Nizwa Fort, a 17th-century fortification in the city of the same name, about 160 kilometres southwest of the capital Muscat. AFP
  • Tourists swim at Wadi Shab in the Sharqiyah region. AFP
    Tourists swim at Wadi Shab in the Sharqiyah region. AFP
  • A general view shows Al Maghseel beach in Salalah, Dhofar province, Oman. Reuters
    A general view shows Al Maghseel beach in Salalah, Dhofar province, Oman. Reuters
  • Tourists visit a cave at Ain Razat, a water spring in Salalah, Dhofar province, Oman. Reuters
    Tourists visit a cave at Ain Razat, a water spring in Salalah, Dhofar province, Oman. Reuters
  • The Wahiba Sands (Ramlat al-Wahiba) in Oman. Getty Images
    The Wahiba Sands (Ramlat al-Wahiba) in Oman. Getty Images
  • A green turtle, Ras Al Jinz, Oman. Getty Images
    A green turtle, Ras Al Jinz, Oman. Getty Images
  • An old village with terraces to grow roses, Jebel Akhdar, Sayq, Oman. Getty Images
    An old village with terraces to grow roses, Jebel Akhdar, Sayq, Oman. Getty Images

Oman to reopen to international flights in October


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

Oman is set to reopen to international flights on October 1.

The country's Supreme Committee said it would restart international flights to and from the sultanate next month in accordance with health data for specific destinations.

No further details of the reopening have been released, but it's likely that Oman will categorise destinations based on the scale of the coronavirus outbreak in each country.

After the announcement, Oman Airports issued a statement confirming that air traffic for international flights would resume in October. The airport authority recommended that passengers comply with any prevention measures that will be announced by the Ministry of Health and told travellers to check with their airline for updates before travelling.

Oman closed its borders to visitors in March in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Flights have remained open for citizens and residents, and anyone entering Oman must quarantine for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. All foreign citizens arriving in the country must also have health insurance. In July, Oman Airports requested bids for the installation of PCR testing solutions, which could mean that travellers will be tested for the virus upon arrival.

Etihad Airways previously announced that it would begin flights to Muscat from Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, September 16, depending on government approval. It's likely that these will now commence on Thursday, October 1.

Emirates is not currently operating its route to Oman, but flights to Muscat can be booked on the Dubai airline's website from Thursday, October 1.

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  • An Extreme Wow suite at W Muscat. All photos courtesy W Muscat
    An Extreme Wow suite at W Muscat. All photos courtesy W Muscat
  • Char, W Muscat's grill house restaurant
    Char, W Muscat's grill house restaurant
  • One of the W Muscat's Fabulous rooms
    One of the W Muscat's Fabulous rooms
  • The Living Room, W’s signature take on the lobby
    The Living Room, W’s signature take on the lobby
  • Design at W Muscat is inspired by the Omani desert and the Arabian Sea
    Design at W Muscat is inspired by the Omani desert and the Arabian Sea
  • The futuristic Wet Deck at W Muscat
    The futuristic Wet Deck at W Muscat