Wednesday 01 / July / 2026
Muscat: July has ushered in a series of important changes affecting citizens, residents and businesses in Oman, from the expansion of the ban on single-use plastic shopping bags and fee-free digital bank transfers to revised Indian passport renewal fees and the launch of new Oman Air destinations.
Among the most significant developments is the expansion of Oman’s ban on single-use plastic shopping bags. Effective July 1, Muscat Municipality has implemented the fifth phase of Decision No. (8/2024), extending the ban to additional commercial activities as part of the Sultanate’s ongoing efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote environmental sustainability.
The newly covered commercial activities include khanjar, gold and silver jewellery shops, furniture stores, vehicle dealerships and car care centres, all of which are now required to replace single-use plastic shopping bags with environmentally friendly alternatives. The move forms part of Oman’s broader strategy to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
Another major reform comes from the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), which has eliminated fees on local digital fund transfers for retail customers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Effective July 1, transfers made through online banking, mobile banking applications and digital payment platforms via the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), Electronic Clearing System (ECS) and Instant Payment System (IPS) will be free of charge.
To further enhance the efficiency and security of financial transactions, the CBO has also expanded the use of the International Bank Account Number (IBAN) for domestic financial transactions from July 1, 2026. The move is expected to improve the efficiency of local payment transactions, minimise operational errors, accelerate transfers between individuals and businesses, and provide customers with faster and more secure banking services.
Meanwhile, Indian expatriates will have to pay more to renew their passports after the Government of India revised the fee structure for services offered through its missions abroad from yesterday. The fee for a standard 36-page Indian passport has increased to OMR53.750, while a 60-page jumbo passport now costs OMR 72.600 in Oman.
In another development, Oman Air is celebrating a major milestone in its network expansion with the launch of five new routes this month. The airline will begin direct flights to Singapore and Sochi on July 2, followed by Tashkent and its first direct Dubai–Salalah service on July 3. Services to Abu Dhabi will commence on July 9, expanding Oman Air’s network to 49 destinations.
Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said: “The launch of five new routes in a single month marks a defining moment for Oman Air. It reflects not only the pace of our transformation but also our ambition to connect Oman to more of the world than ever before. Every new destination we add not only strengthens our network but, most importantly, brings more people into Oman. We hope our guests enjoy discovering these incredible destinations with us, and they can look forward to many more exciting developments from Oman Air in the months ahead.”
The July measures reflect Oman’s continued efforts to modernise its economy, promote sustainable consumption and advance the goals of Oman Vision 2040 by making everyday transactions more efficient while reducing environmental impact.
