Oman Air, the Gulf sultanate’s flag carrier, will restart direct services between Dubai and Salalah and between Muscat and Zanzibar this month.
The airline will operate twice-weekly services between the UAE and Salalah, and thrice-weekly flights to Zanzibar from its home hub, it said in a statement Sunday.The number of tourists from the Gulf states visiting Salalah during the annual Khareef season has been steadily increasing,said Oman Air chief commercial officer Abdulrazaq Alraisi.

“With our direct flights we are sure we can cater to more enthusiastic travellers who wish to escape the sizzling summer heat of much of the Arabian Gulf for the cool climate and Monsoon showers of Khareef season.”Oman Air posted a $203m loss last year due to operational costs and a fleet expansion programme. The airline flew 38 percent more passengers than in 2009, however.Earlier this month, the carrier agreed to double some staff salaries under a new pay deal agreed in the wake of industrial action called by employees.Around 200 employees of the national carrier went on strike in March demanding higher salaries and better working conditions. The move followed a string of civil demonstrations in the sultanate against wage levels and unemployment.