Duqm airport sees 2.6% growth in passenger traffic

MUSCAT: Passenger traffic through the Sultanate of Oman’s airports — Muscat, Salalah, Suhar and Al Duqm — reached 10,024,998 by the end of August 2025, reflecting a marginal overall decline of 0.1 per cent compared to 10,015,613 passengers during the same period last year, according to preliminary figures from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

At Muscat International Airport, passenger numbers fell slightly by 0.5 per cent, totalling 8,757,696 compared to 8,800,036 a year earlier. Flight movements also saw a decline of 5.1 per cent, registering 62,007 flights against 65,306 last year.

In contrast, Salalah Airport posted the strongest performance, recording an 8.5 per cent rise in passengers to 1,208,607 compared to 1,114,062 in 2024. The number of flights also increased by 4.8 per cent, reaching 7,769 compared to 7,410 last year — driven by growing demand during the Khareef Dhofar Season and expanding domestic travel.

Meanwhile, Sohar Airport witnessed a steep decline, with passenger traffic dropping by 70.3 per cent to 18,522 passengers, compared to 62,360 in the same period last year. Flight operations also decreased by 59.1 per cent, recording 202 flights versus 494 previously, indicating reduced connectivity and flight frequency in the northern region.

Duqm Airport, however, maintained steady growth, with passenger numbers increasing by 2.6 per cent to 40,173, compared to 39,155 during the same period in 2024. Despite the rise in passengers, the number of flights edged down slightly by 1 per cent, with 410 flights recorded compared to 414 the year before. The figures reflect Al Duqm’s growing importance as an emerging business and logistics hub supporting industrial and port development in Al Wusta Governorate.

According to the NCSI report, Omanis continued to make up the largest share of travellers through Muscat International Airport in August 2025, totalling 223,166 passengers — comprising 124,680 arrivals and 98,486 departures. Indian nationals followed with 158,075 passengers (84,685 arrivals and 73,390 departures), while Pakistanis ranked third with 44,437 passengers (23,342 arrivals and 21,095 departures). — ONA