Tuesday 11 / November / 2025
Muscat: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today celebrated the 7th anniversary of the opening of Muscat International Airport and the 10th anniversary of the opening of Salalah Airport. The airports constitute two national pillars of the air transport system in the Sultanate of Oman. They boast state-of-the art infrastructure compatible with the latest global standards and technologies.
While celebrating the two airports’ anniversaries, the CAA affirms its mandate to develop a safe and sustainable operating environment that enhances the competitiveness of the civil aviation sector and the attractiveness of the Sultanate of Oman as a leading regional aviation hub. This approach is in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 in achieving balanced and sustainable development.
Since its opening way back on 11 November 2018, Muscat International Airport has developed into a major hub in the system of air transport in the Sultanate of Oman. The airport occupies 11th position globally, as it figures in the category of 15-25 million passengers a year.
Muscat International Airport registered more than 1.06 million passengers during October 2025, compared to 955,000 passengers in October 2024, posting a growth rate of 12 percent.
In terms of air traffic, Muscat International Airport maintained stability in the number of flights during October 2025, during which it operated approximately 8,000 flights.
As part of the efforts of its efforts to boost the efficiency of infrastructure and raise the readiness of airports, the CAA opened southern runway project at Muscat International Airport in 2024. The project assumes significance due to the fact that it meets the specifications set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on enhancing international and domestic air traffic.
In 2024, Muscat International Airport bagged a number of international awards, including “The Best Airport in the Middle East” award for the category of 5-15 million passengers a year, “The Best Staff in the Middle East” award, “The Easiest Airport Journey in the Middle East” award and “The Cleanest Airport in the Middle East” award.
Meanwhile, the 10th anniversary of the opening of Salalah Airport’s building on 11 November 2015 celebrates the airport’s position as a major hub connecting Dhofar Governorate with the rest of the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman and the world at large. The airport stands out as a basic supporter of tourism in Dhofar Governorate.
Salalah Airport saw 15 percent growth in passenger traffic during October 2025, during which it dealt with more than 104,000 passengers, compared to 91,000 in October 2024. Aircraft traffic at the airport also rose by 8 percent in October 2025, compared to aircraft traffic during October in 2024.
Salalah Airport continues to excel in international rankings by maintaining its 5-star rating from Skytrax since 2019, in addition to scaling up to 4th place globally in the category of airports with less than two million passengers.
Salalah Airport won five awards in 2024, including “The Best Airport in the Middle East” award for the category of less than two million passengers, “The Easiest Airport Journey in the Middle East” award, “The Best Staff in the Middle East” award, “The Cleanest Airport in the Middle East” award and “The Most Enjoyable Airport in the Middle East” award.
