Oman Air is set to increase the number of flights it offers between Muscat and Salalah during the Khareef, southern Oman’s monsoon season.

The increase will mean that Oman Air operates more flights to Salalah than ever before.

The Khareef, which between June and September brings cooling rains and a resulting profusion of colorful plant and animal life, is a major attraction for tourists from throughout the Middle East region. For many years, Oman Air has increased the number of services it offers to Salalah during this period.

Between June and September, the national carrier of Oman will operate a record 284 return flights from Muscat to Salalah. This represents an 11 percent increase in flights compared with 2014, and means that as many as 352,738 passengers will have the opportunity to fly with Oman Air to Salalah.

Oman Air’s Chief Operating Officer Abdulrahman Al-Busaidy said: “Salalah is one of the most important destinations within Oman Air’s network and we are delighted to be offering more air travelers than ever before the opportunity to visit this wonderful city.”

This year passengers can also check-in directly to Salalah irrespective of where they are starting their journey from on the Oman Air network.

They no longer have to clear baggage and recheck-in at Muscat International Airport.

In 2014, some 84 percent of the additional seats Oman Air offered during the Khareef were utilized. As a result, more than 11,000 more visitors arrived in the region than in the previous year.

And many travelled not only from other areas of the Middle East, but also from as far afield as Europe and South-East Asia.

Salalah is the principal city in Dhofar, Oman’s most southerly governorate.

The city and its surrounding area are rich in history and visitors can explore iconic sites.