Due to the serious deterioration of the security situation in the Middle East, the Omani low-cost airline Salam Air has made extensive cuts to its flight schedule.
As the Muscat-based company announced, closed or restricted airspace in the region is the main reason for this measure. Specifically, all flights to and from Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran will remain completely suspended until at least March 28, 2026. The airline is reacting to the unpredictable military situation, which currently makes safe civilian air traffic over these areas impossible.
In addition to the complete travel bans to certain countries, Salam Air has also temporarily suspended regional short-haul flights. Flights to Kuwait, as well as to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, Doha in Qatar, and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, will not operate until March 20, 2026. This decision primarily affects commuter and business travelers within the Gulf region. The airline emphasizes that, under the current circumstances, the safety of passengers and crew takes precedence over operational goals and that it is accepting economic losses to protect human lives.
The reason for the massive restrictions is the ongoing instability in the airspace over the Persian Gulf and neighboring countries, which has already led to diversions by numerous international airlines. Since Salam Air primarily serves destinations in the immediate vicinity of the crisis zones, the airline is particularly affected by the airspace closures. Management is monitoring the situation in close coordination with the Omani aviation authorities and the Sultanate's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Customers are asked to check the status of their bookings online, as short-notice changes to the flight schedule are possible at any time depending on how the situation develops.
Industry experts view Salam Air's decision as a necessary step to minimize risk, as alternative routes for a low-cost carrier often involve uneconomically long flight times. The company has announced that it will resume operations to the affected destinations immediately should the situation ease, but sees little room for a return to normal until the end of March. According to the airline's terms and conditions of carriage, affected passengers are entitled to rebookings or refunds, although capacity on alternative routes is currently severely limited due to the general shortage of flights in the region.