The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Wednesday said that flights between Oman and India are operating in accordance with the decisions of the Supreme Committee on COVID-19. 

The authority said that 34 flights were operated to ferry 141 passengers from India to Oman from June 7 to 13, flying in people exempted from the travel ban. 

A statement issued by the CAA said, ‘The flights are operated for the purpose of allowing Indian nationals to return to their home country, shipping health supplies, goods and essential merchandise and facilitating the return of citizens, diplomats and health workers from India to the sultanate.’

The competent authorities in the sultanate, represented by the CAA, the Royal Oman Police and the Ministry of Health, are keeping an eye on the small number of in-coming travellers, including healthcare workers and diplomats, it said. 

‘They must undergo tests before travelling and upon their arrivals in the sultanate, in addition to quarantine as per the regulations. Tests are conducted for the third time on the last day of the quarantine period.’

The CAA added that Oman Air operated 14 flights to bring in 58 passengers – 14 citizens and 44 expatriates – on an average of five passengers (from exempted categories) per flight from June 7 to June 13. 

SalamAir operated one flight with two Omanis. Air India operated eight flights with a total of 34 passengers – one citizen and 33 expatriates – on an average of less than five passengers per flight, while Air India Express operated 11 flights with 47 passengers, including two citizens and 45 expatriates.