Oman's low-cost airline SalamAir has appointed Eng Yaqoob bin Saif bin Hamoud Al Kiyumi as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2026, bringing an energy sector background to lead the carrier through its next growth phase. The appointment comes as Oman's government completed its acquisition of SalamAir in March 2026 and coincides with simultaneous leadership changes at fellow state-owned carrier Oman Air, signaling a broader transformation of the sultanate's aviation sector under Oman's Vision 2040 development strategy.
Al Kiyumi replaces New Zealander Adrian Hamilton-Manns, who served as CEO for two years following his appointment in June 2024. Hamilton-Manns, a veteran aviation executive with 28 years of airline industry experience, spent his tenure navigating operational challenges including fleet issues with Airbus A320neo aircraft and driving SalamAir's expansion toward a target of 25 aircraft by 2028 and 9 million annual passengers. The board extended its appreciation to Hamilton-Manns for his leadership during a period in which the airline expanded to over 40 destinations across 15 countries. SalamAir did not identify a search firm in the announcement, suggesting an internal succession process aligned with government objectives.
Al Kiyumi currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Oman Power and Water Procurement Company, having built a career in Oman's energy and infrastructure sectors. His background spans oil and gas operations and aluminum smelting, with recent experience managing public private partnerships in power and water procurement. At the GCC Interconnection Authority, he serves as a board member and energy advisor to the Directorate General of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen. Aviation Week noted that it remains unclear whether Al Kiyumi possesses any airline industry experience, distinguishing his appointment from his predecessor's seasoned background in low-cost carrier operations and digital-first strategies across Central Asia and Australasia.
SalamAir was founded in 2016 as Oman's first low-cost carrier and commenced operations in January 2017. The airline operates from Muscat International Airport with a modern fleet of 15 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft. The airline generated 4.5 million passengers in recent periods and targets doubling that volume to 9 million within four years, with planned growth anchored to support Oman's tourism and economic diversification objectives. The government's acquisition of SalamAir in March 2026 consolidated both Oman Air, the full-service national carrier, and SalamAir under state ownership, though both carriers continue operating as independent brands and services according to government statements.
The timing of Al Kiyumi's appointment reflects Oman's strategic pivot toward centralized aviation leadership under a duopoly model. Oman Air separately appointed Nasser Al Sharji as its new CEO in the same August announcement, replacing Australian executive Con Korfiatis who has shifted to an advisory role. Aviation analysts may view Al Kiyumi's appointment as an indication that the government expects the next phase of SalamAir's growth to leverage infrastructure development and state strategic objectives rather than pure airline commercial expertise. The three-month transition before his October start date provides time for any operational handover, though the succession's success will ultimately depend on Al Kiyumi's ability to translate utility sector management into airline operations amid an increasingly competitive Middle Eastern aviation market.
