MUSCAT: Oman Airports is intensifying efforts to expand the number of international airlines operating at Muscat International Airport and other airports across the Sultanate of Oman, aiming to increase passenger traffic and solidify Oman’s role as a key aviation hub.
Shaikh Ayman bin Ahmed al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports, announced that six new international airlines are expected to start operating flights to Muscat International Airport in 2024. Of these, four airlines have already begun operations, while two others are scheduled to launch later this year.
In 2023, Oman Airports successfully attracted five new airlines, two of which are European carriers, enhancing direct flight options from Europe to Oman. As part of a broader strategy, the company is also exploring the "transit" market, targeting European travelers who transit through Oman en route to destinations in Asia, a segment that has become highly competitive in the region.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts between Oman Airports and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, it is projected that the number of European tourists arriving in Oman via its airports will exceed 500,000 by the end of 2024, compared to nearly half a million tourists in 2023. Shaikh Ayman added that Oman Airports is working closely with tourism stakeholders to explore new markets and further boost inbound tourism.
Muscat International Airport now accommodates 36 airlines, connecting Oman to over 80 regional and international destinations. This expanding network is expected to significantly enhance Oman’s global connectivity and bolster tourism, trade, and investment. — ONA
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