As part of the development of international relations between St. Petersburg and the Sultanate of Oman, a working visit was made by representatives of the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg and the Northern Capital Gateway Company (the operator of Pulkovo Airport) to Oman to discuss the possibilities of opening direct flights and developing tourism.

During the visit, negotiations were held with the management of the Omani sovereign fund and the airline Salam Air, during which issues of opening direct flights and developing a two-way tourist flow were discussed. The St. Petersburg delegation presented the investment, tourism and industrial potential of the city.

Statistics show growing interest among Russians in visiting Oman. In 2024, the Sultanate of Oman received more than 70 thousand Russian tourists, which is 25% more than the previous year.

"The opening of direct flights is of strategic importance for us, it will maximally contribute to the strengthening and development of business, cultural and trade ties, expanding transport accessibility for citizens of both sides. Given the high potential of opening flights, a direct flight to Muscat, as well as charter flights to the resort and port city of Salalah, can become a new growth point between St. Petersburg and the Sultanate of Oman, stimulating business and mutual tourist flow," said Nizami Mamishev, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg.

"The launch of a direct flight can stimulate an increase in passenger traffic by 30%. Today, the Middle East is one of our priority regions, and we are very interested in opening new flights ," said Asiyat Khalvashi, Director of Aviation Commerce at Northern Capital Gateway. Currently, flights to Oman are carried out with transfers via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flights, as well as via Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which can be reached from St. Petersburg by Emirates, Flydubai and Etihad Airways.

During the meetings with representatives of the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman and the province of Dhofar, agreements were reached to support St. Petersburg's initiatives and launch joint projects. One of the main topics was the establishment of charter flights between St. Petersburg and the city of Salalah (the administrative center of Dhofar) and the development of mutual tourism. It was agreed to provide support from the Governor of Dhofar, organize a trip for St. Petersburg tour operators to Salalah and hold negotiations with the city's leading hotels.

The Russian Embassy in Oman makes a major contribution to the development of relations between St. Petersburg and the Omani side. During the visit, issues of trade and economic cooperation, expansion of humanitarian and cultural ties, development of tourism and opening of direct air service with Muscat were discussed.