Muscat: The passenger movement at Salalah increased by 32 percent to 183,167 in July 2023 compared to 137,741 in June 22.
The aircraft movement increased by 26 percent to 1,612 in July 2023 from 1,282 during the same period a year ago, according to latest figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
It may be noted that 84 percent (305,350) of the total 396,108 Khareef visitors to Salalah this year (until July 31, 2023) came via road, compared to 90,758 visitors who took the flights.
These may include travelers from neighboring countries. The 1,000-km stretch to Salalah has often turned out to be fatal for some motorists and their families.
The number of visitors from June 21 to July 31 to experience the khareef season in Dhofar stood at 396,108, up 12.8% compared to the corresponding period in 2022, according to National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) data.
According to the NCSI, the number of Omani visitors this khareef increased 13 percent to 296,135 while 59,555 visitors from other GCC countries.
At the same time, the passenger movement at Muscat International Airport increased 42 percent to 1,235,067 in July 2023 compared to 868,318 in July 2022, while aircraft movement increased by 38 percent to 9,890 from 7,160 in July 2022.
The passenger movement at Sohar Airport increased 62 percent in July 2023 to 12,707 with aircraft movement going up by 153 percent to 195 from 77 a year ago.
The Duqm airport saw an increase of 13 during the same period.
The number of planes using Omani airspace increased 23 percent to 40,839 in 2023 from 33,110 in 2022.
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