MUSCAT: Passenger traffic through the Sultanate of Oman's airports declined 9.3 per cent during the first five months of 2026, with total passenger numbers falling to 5.25 million from 5.79 million in the corresponding period last year, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
The total number of international flights through Muscat, Salalah and Sohar airports also fell 10.7 per cent to 31,867 by the end of May, compared with 35,679 flights a year earlier.
Muscat International Airport handled 4.76 million passengers, down 8.5 per cent from 5.21 million in the first five months of 2025. Total aircraft movements, including domestic and international flights, declined 8.2 per cent to 34,242.
Salalah Airport recorded 468,797 passengers, a decline of 15.9 per cent from 557,298 a year earlier. Flight movements fell 13 per cent to 3,234.
Sohar Airport handled 173 passengers during the period, down 48.5 per cent from 336 passengers in the corresponding period of 2025. Flight movements dropped 39 per cent to 50 from 82.
Domestic traffic at Duqm Airport also weakened, with flight movements declining 13.3 per cent to 222. Passenger numbers fell 19.3 per cent to 20,476 from 25,371 a year earlier.
At Muscat International Airport, Indian nationals remained the largest group of passengers during May, with 175,022 arrivals and departures. Omani nationals ranked second with 80,732 passengers, followed by Pakistani nationals with 45,956. — ONA
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