Salam Air from Oman has commenced direct flight services between Muscat and Chennai, starting July 12. The flights will operate twice a week, specifically on Fridays and Sundays. The inaugural flight departed Muscat and arrived at Chennai International Airport at 4:15 AM, with the return leg departing Chennai at 5 AM. This new service provides travelers with an additional option apart from the existing morning and evening flights.
On its first day, the Muscat to Chennai flight carried 179 passengers, while 142 passengers flew back to Muscat from Chennai. The flight duration is approximately 3 hours and 46 minutes, offering convenient connectivity between the two cities.
Previously, Oman Airlines was the sole operator offering two daily direct flights between Chennai and Muscat, which often experienced high demand due to the preference for direct routes over connecting flights via Mumbai. The Chennai-Muscat route is crucial for travelers connecting to major international destinations such as Paris, London, and Frankfurt from Muscat.
Chennai airport authorities have received positive feedback from passengers and are exploring options to increase the frequency of these flights to meet growing demand.