Oman Sees Passenger Surge at Airports
Oman Sees Surge in Air Travel with Nearly 5 Million Passengers in Four Months
Muscat, Oman: Oman’s airports witnessed a significant rise in passenger traffic in the first four months of 2024. This growth is driven by increased travel demand, particularly through Muscat International Airport.
Muscat Airport Leads the Surge
According to preliminary statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information, Oman’s airports handled a total of 4,901,796 passengers by the end of April 2024. This represents a substantial increase compared to the same period last year.
Muscat International Airport, the nation’s busiest airport, played a major role in this growth. The airport facilitated the movement of 4,430,119 passengers during the period, reflecting a 16.8% increase. International travel dominated Muscat’s traffic, with 4,097,728 passengers flying on international routes. Domestic travel also saw healthy growth, with 332,391 passengers utilizing domestic flights.
Increased Flights and Passenger Traffic
The rise in passenger numbers is accompanied by a corresponding increase in flight activity. Oman’s airports witnessed a total of 31,708 flights by the end of April 2024. Muscat International Airport alone handled 32,520 flights, with international flights making up the majority (29,862).
Indians topped the list of nationalities using Muscat International Airport, with over 173,000 passengers arriving and departing during the period. Bangladeshis and Pakistanis followed closely, highlighting the strong travel links between Oman and South Asia.
Growth at Other Airports
While Muscat International Airport dominates Oman’s air traffic, other airports also experienced growth. Salalah Airport saw a 9.9% increase in passenger traffic, handling over 429,000 passengers. Both domestic and international travel at Salalah grew by nearly 10%.
Sohar and Duqm airports, while handling a smaller volume of passengers, also witnessed increases in traffic during the first four months of 2024. This growth suggests Oman’s overall air travel sector is on a positive trajectory.
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