Oman’s airports witnessed a surge in the number of passengers, welcoming 2.7 million by the end of February 2024, according to the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The figure encompasses arrivals, departures and transit passengers.
The number of arrivals at all of Oman’s airports saw a 19 percent increase. Meanwhile, the number of departures saw a 25 percent rise.
Muscat airport leads growth
Muscat International Airport led the growth of Oman’s airports, with both domestic and international air traffic witnessing a significant uptick. Compared to the same period in 2023, the number of flights through Muscat airport rose 17 percent, reaching a total of 16,996 flights. Moreover, the total number of passengers, including arrivals, departures and flight transfers, surged by 22.9 percent, surpassing 2.4 million passengers.
Oman’s trend of growth extends beyond Muscat, with Salalah International Airport and Sohar International Airport also reporting substantial increases in both flight operations and passenger numbers. Salalah airport recorded a remarkable 61 percent increase in air traffic, with the total number of passengers rising by 10.1 percent to 232,000. Similarly, Sohar airport witnessed an impressive 83 percent surge in flight operations, leading to a staggering 166.8 percent increase in passenger numbers.
Diverse nationalities
The diversity of passengers passing through Oman’s airports is evident, with Indian nationals topping the list at Muscat airport with 146,472 passengers. Following closely came Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals at 45,543 and 36,847 passengers, respectively. This underscores Oman’s appeal as a transit hub for travelers from various parts of the world, reflecting the country’s strategic location and growing connectivity.
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Ambitious tourism goals
The surge in Oman’s airport passenger traffic aligns with forecasts by BMI which predicted a 24.7 percent annual growth in arrivals for 2024, totaling 5.3 million visitors. This optimistic outlook bodes well for Oman’s tourism sector, which aims to attract 11 million tourists annually by 2040 as part of the broader Oman Vision 2040 objectives.
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