Muscat – The charter aviation sector generated more than RO30mn in economic returns for Oman in 2025, according to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT).

The figure includes revenues from accommodation, transportation and tourist trips, excluding airport-related income such as aircraft landing, parking and refuelling fees.

Abdullah bin Saif Al Saadi, head of the Maritime and Air Tourism Department at the ministry, informed that 588 charter flights operated during the year, carrying about 93,000 passengers.

He said charter aviation supports MHT’s efforts to expand international tourism by attracting visitors from multiple markets and promoting Oman’s heritage and tourist sites.

According to Al Saadi, the Poland market accounted for the largest share of charter flights, followed by the Czech Republic and Italy. Promotional campaigns also helped attract new markets such as Russia and Belarus.

He added that MHT is encouraging investment in hotels, particularly beachfront properties, to support this segment and enhance tourism services across the country, while emphasising the ministry’s keenness to ensure the sustainability of the sector and attract tourists with high income.

Airport passenger

Passenger traffic through Oman’s airports recorded steady growth at the start of 2026.

Data shows that total passenger numbers across airports in Oman reached 1,452,911 at the end of January, an increase of 8.8% compared to 1,334,825 passengers during the same period in 2025.

International flights across the sultanate totalled 8,032 during the period, up 2.7% from 7,820 flights a year earlier.

At Muscat International Airport, international flights reached 7,594 at the end of January, compared to 7,410 in the same period of 2025, while passenger numbers rose 7.2% to 1,189,938.

Domestic flights at the airport totalled 773, with passenger numbers increasing 14.4% to 107,423.

At Salalah Airport, total flights rose 11.4% to 916, while passenger numbers grew 19.2% to 150,785.

Traffic also increased at Suhar Airport, where flights rose to 18 compared to ten in the same period last year. Meanwhile, Duqm Airport recorded 52 domestic flights, with passenger numbers standing at 4,749.

Data shows that Omani nationals were the most active travellers through Muscat International Airport in January 2026, with 195,657 passengers. Indian nationals ranked second with 187,904 travellers, followed by Pakistani nationals with 48,546 passengers.