The Sultanate of Oman is increasing the capacity of its two airports, with a multi-million dollar upgrade.
In Muscat Airport, the sultanate is building a new terminal building, an air traffic control tower and a new runway. The additions will increase the capacity from 4 million passengers per year at present to 12 million.
In Salalah, a new terminal with a capacity of 1 million passengers a year is planned. The runway will also be extended.
The sultanate has decided on the upgrade as traffic at both international airports have been steadily increasing and this trend is forecast to continue. The consulting team of FMG, Munich Airport’s operating company, has been appointed to commission, relocate and operate the airports and will work on the expansion for four and a half years.
The expansion follows similar developments at Oman Air, which recently upgraded its fleet with a range of Boeing B737 aircraft.
Oman Air is the latest Gulf state airline to reposition itself from being a regional carrier to one with a global reach.
Current services to Asia include 10 cities in India, three cities in Pakistan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. The airline recently signed a codeshare agreement with Malaysian Airlines to increase connections throughout Asia.
Andrea Zavadszky
