Muscat – Oman’s airports saw a significant increase in passenger traffic, with figures for February 2024 showing a 21.85% increase compared to the same period last year. 

According to preliminary statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, a total of 2,717,835 passengers were recorded in 2024 till the end of February, up from 2,231,451 passengers in the corresponding period of 2023.

Muscat International Airport saw 2,463,856 passengers, marking a 22.9% increase. This surge in passenger traffic was supported by a 16.4% increase in flights, totalling 16,996. 

Of these, 15,678 were international flights which flew 2,288,119 passengers. The airport also handled 1,318 domestic flights, serving 175,737 passengers.

Indian nationals made up the highest number of travellers through Muscat International Airport in 2024 till February end, with 75,521 arrivals and 70,951 departures. This was followed by passengers of Bangladeshi nationality (15,867 arrivals and 20,980 departures) and Pakistanis (23,803 arrivals and 21,740 departures).

Salalah Airport also witnessed an uptick in activity, with passenger numbers reaching 232,077 – an increase of 10.1%. Flight operations at the airport rose 6.1% to 1,572 flights. International flights accounted for 840 of these, carrying 115,060 passengers, while domestic flights numbered 732, with 117,017 passengers.

Meanwhile, Sohar and Duqm airports reported modest figures. Sohar Airport facilitated 11,410 passengers in 110 flights, and Duqm Airport saw 10,492 passengers on 104 flights.

The growing passenger traffic highlights Oman’s increasing role as a hub for air transport, reflecting broader trends in travel and tourism within the region.