Muscat – Oman’s airports recorded a 3.1% increase in passenger traffic by the end of November 2024 with 13.27mn passengers travelling on 98,933 flights, according to data released by National Centre for Statistics and Information.
A total of 12.87mn passengers travelled on 97,802 flights during the same period in 2023.
Muscat International Airport contributed significantly to this increase, handling 11.73mn passengers, up 2.7% compared to 2023. The airport handled 88,000 flights, reflecting a 1.4% increase. Of the total passengers at Muscat, 10.64mn travelled on international flights, while 1.08mn flew domestically. The airport facilitated 79,675 international flights during this period.
Salalah Airport witnessed the highest growth in passenger numbers, increasing 5.5% to 1.41mn passengers by November 2024. Despite the rise in passenger numbers, the airport handled 2% fewer flights – 9,751 flights – than the previous year. International traffic at Salalah included 4,693 flights carrying 612,994 passengers, while domestic flights totalled 5,058, serving 804,953 passengers.
Regional airports also played a role in the country’s growing aviation landscape, though their contributions were modest. Suhar Airport served 66,531 passengers flying on 610 flights, and Duqm Airport handled 55,545 passengers on 570 flights.
Indian nationals formed the largest group of travellers through Muscat International Airport, with 153,557 passengers, comprising 76,852 arrivals and 76,705 departures. Omani nationals followed – 115,871 passengers, including 57,058 arrivals and 58,813 departures. Pakistani nationals ranked third – 49,438 passengers, 24,115 arrivals and 25,323 departures.
The increase in passenger traffic across Oman’s airports highlights the sultanate’s growing connectivity and its role as a regional travel hub.
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