Work has started on a new terminal at Muscat International Airport, which is due to be completed by 2011 and will have the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually.
A second runway will be created parallel to the first and the new passenger terminal will be built between the two. The development will allow for 32 boarding air bridges and parking for 6,000 cars. The existing runway will be upgraded to handle the world’s largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, and a six-lane motorway will be created to improve transport links. An 80-bed airside hotel to accommodate transfer passengers is also planned.
Work has already commenced on development of the existing terminal and further expansion plans looks set to boost the airport’s capacity to 40 million passengers by 2050. This will make it the principal air gateway for Oman and is in response to increased traffic through the airport. Further growth in passenger numbers are expected, in part thanks to the fleet and route expansion of national carrier Oman Air. (See online news March 13 for details of Oman’s new business class offering.)
Located 32km west of Muscat, capital of the Sultanate of Oman, Muscat International Airport handled four million passengers in 2008 and is a hub for Oman Air. A new terminal at Salalah Airport in Dhofar (1,000km south of Muscat), is due for completion in 2011. Plans have also been announced for the construction of an airport between Muscat and Salalah, at Duqm, where a development of five hotels, 550 villas, 600 apartments and a marina are planned.
For more information visit omanairports.com, omanair.aero.
Report by Holly Willis
