As global air traffic returned to pre-pandemic levels despite a surge in oil prices, the number of passengers using the Muscat International Airport increased by 73.5 per cent to 954,905 in March 2023 from 550,539 during the same period in 2022.
The flight movement increased by 59.1 per cent to 7,789 in March 2023 from 4,953 in March 2022, while the cargo movement increased by 18.4 per cent.
The passenger traffic increased by 18 per cent to 93,673 from 79,380 at Salalah Airport while flight movement increased by 18.5 per cent to 956 from 807 during the same period. There had been a significant drop in passenger movement at Suhar Airport (-81.9), while the Duqm Airport showed an increase of 10 per cent. Boosting air connectivity between the Sultanate and the rest of the world will be one of the priorities of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 2023.
Speaking to the Observer recently, Naif al Abri, CEO of CAA, said, “Currently, we have 122 bilateral agreements with countries. We are hoping to finish negotiations with the European Union (28 countries) and ten more pacts within this coming month and during this year.” Al Abri said that bilateral talks are underway with the Indian government to increase the capacity and that he is optimistic about a positive outcome. "The conclusion of the air bilateral agreement especially the EU will benefit the airlines of the Sultanate and also those respective countries, apart from offering direct air link from the Sultanate." The revenues of CAA increased by RO 26.4 million or 58 per cent in 2022 while there was a movement of 470,809 flights, and the number of aircraft using the Omani airspace was 386, The southern runway and taxiways of Muscat International Airport will be rehabilitated at the cost of RO 21 million with the project stated to be completed by the end of this year.
"It is interesting to note that at the global scale, premium traffic has recovered faster than total passenger traffic. The data refers to the premium cabin class, encompassing first and business class, but does not enlighten us as to the purpose of travel, and might thus include leisure travellers who choose to travel in greater comfort," according to IATA. In the Middle East, this category reached 92.3 per cent in February 2023, up from 59.6 per cent in February 2022, likely benefiting from the region's strategic location as a transit hub for long-haul flights.
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