SalamAir has announced the launch of a new direct route between Muscat and Medan, marking the Omani low-cost carrier’s first nonstop connection to Indonesia. The service will begin on 3 July 2026 with two weekly flights, expanding SalamAir’s footprint in Southeast Asia and strengthening air links between Oman and North Sumatra.
The new Muscat–Medan route supports SalamAir’s wider Asian growth strategy and aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which aims to boost international connectivity and position the Sultanate as a regional aviation hub. Tickets are already on sale, with Lite fares starting from 79.99 OMR, and flights are timed to allow onward connections through Muscat to destinations across the Gulf, Middle East and beyond.
A new bridge between the Gulf and Southeast Asia
The launch of Medan represents a significant milestone for SalamAir as it enters the Indonesian market for the first time. Indonesia is described by the airline as a high-potential market for tourism, trade and workforce mobility, and the new route is designed to stimulate travel demand by offering competitive fares and simplified access.
Flights will operate twice weekly, providing a direct option between Oman and Indonesia while also strengthening Muscat’s role as a transfer hub. Through SalamAir’s network, passengers travelling via Muscat will be able to connect onward to cities including Jeddah, Dammam, Doha, Kuwait, Sharjah, Baghdad, Beirut, Tehran, Nairobi and Salalah.
According to SalamAir, the route enhances not only point-to-point travel but also broader connectivity between Southeast Asia and the Gulf. By linking Medan to Muscat, the airline aims to open new economic and tourism corridors while supporting Oman’s ambitions to diversify partnerships beyond traditional markets.
Why Medan is on the travel map
Medan, the capital of Indonesia’s North Sumatra province, is emerging as a gateway destination rather than just a stopover city. Known for its layered cultural heritage, Medan reflects Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences, visible in its architecture, cuisine and everyday life.
The city is also the main access point for some of Indonesia’s most distinctive natural attractions. Lake Toba, one of the world’s largest volcanic lakes, lies within easy reach, as does the Bukit Lawang rainforest, famous for its biodiversity and orangutan habitats. This combination of urban life and nature makes Medan increasingly appealing to leisure travellers as well as business visitors.
Commenting on the route launch, Steven Allen, Chief Commercial Officer of SalamAir, said “Launching Medan reflects our strategic approach to network expansion, aimed at connecting high-growth yet under-served markets with strong demand potential. Indonesia represents a key market for tourism, trade, and workforce mobility, and this route allows us to stimulate new traffic flows through competitive fares while leveraging Muscat as an efficient hub.”
He added: “By opening direct access to North Sumatra, the Muscat–Medan service strengthens SalamAir’s role in unlocking new economic corridors between Southeast Asia and the Gulf.”
The new route has also been welcomed as a step towards deeper ties between Indonesia and Oman, with improved air connectivity expected to support tourism, investment and people-to-people travel. For travellers, the service offers a more straightforward way to reach Sumatra while reinforcing Muscat’s growing status as a crossroads between Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
