OMAN: The Sultanate of Oman saw a significant surge in passenger traffic across its four major airports, with over 14.5 million passengers traveling through by the end of December 2024. This impressive figure was achieved through 92,336 flights, showcasing the growing demand for air travel in the region. These statistics reflect a steady recovery and growth of the aviation sector in Oman, following a global trend of increased air travel as the world recovers from the pandemic.
Muscat International Airport, the country’s primary gateway, played a central role in this achievement. In 2024, the airport processed a total of 12,899,829 passengers across both international and domestic flights. This was accomplished through 96,116 flights, with 86,835 of these serving international travelers. The number of international passengers at Muscat International Airport reached an impressive 11,861,213, highlighting the airport’s significant role in connecting Oman to the rest of the world. Furthermore, domestic traffic also showed a positive trend, with a 9.5 percent increase in passengers compared to the previous year.
The international passenger growth at Muscat was slightly lower, at 1.5 percent, but still indicates a steady demand for global connectivity. The growth in domestic flights suggests that the local tourism and business travel sectors are also thriving. Muscat’s success can be attributed to the expansion of airline routes, improvements in airport infrastructure, and Oman’s increased efforts to boost tourism and business activity. As the country’s capital airport continues to modernize and expand, further increases in passenger numbers are expected in the coming years.
Salalah Airport, in the southern part of the Sultanate, also saw notable growth in 2024, handling 1,520,652 passengers across 10,455 flights. Of these, 650,698 were international travelers, further reinforcing Salalah’s status as an important regional hub. This growth is particularly significant given the airport’s more limited capacity compared to Muscat International Airport. The increase in both international and domestic flights at Salalah Airport is a testament to its growing importance as a key destination for tourists and business travelers in the region.
