Oman Airports Expands Direct Flights To Foster Tourism And Economic Growth

Oman Airports is implementing strategies to link the Sultanate with new markets through direct services, aiming to more tourists, according to a senior executive.

Muscat International Airport managed over 7.5 million passengers in the first seven months of this year. The number of international passengers rose by nine percent to 6,949,193 from 6,374,797 in 2023. Domestic passenger numbers also saw an increase of 8.3 percent, reaching 621,955 from 574,405 in 2023.

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Expansion Plans and Tourism Growth

Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports, stated, "Currently, we have 36 airlines serving more than 80 destinations. We want to expand the list of direct flights from Muscat by assessing some new markets, which can be served by both our national airlines and foreign airlines."

The government aims to promote Oman in Spain and other European countries beyond traditional markets like Germany and the UK. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to boost tourism and economic growth.

Passenger Traffic Statistics

Salalah received 827,486 passengers from 5,975 flights by the end of July 2024, compared to 750,251 passengers in the previous year. This increase highlights the growing appeal of Oman as a travel destination.

"We are seeing big growth in the tourism sector and tourists coming to Oman and hoping to double those numbers soon," added Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed al Hosni. "Oman Airports is making efforts to make seamless travel and arrival for all our passengers, which include having advanced e-gates and additional check-in counters."

Technological Advancements for Seamless Travel

Efforts are being made to enhance passenger experience through advanced e-gates and additional check-in counters. These improvements aim to facilitate smoother travel for all visitors.

The overall number of passengers using Muscat International Airport increased from 6,949,202 in 2023 to 7,571,148 in 2024. This growth reflects the success of ongoing efforts to improve connectivity and attract more visitors.

The strategic initiatives by Oman Airports are expected to further boost tourism and economic development by connecting Oman with new international markets.