Suhar Airport welcomed the inaugural flight of Qatar Airways (QA) from Doha on Tuesday evening. QA is the third operator and second international airline to operate from the port city.
The flight (Airbus A320), which left Doha at 1:35 (local time), received a ceremonial water salute on its arrival at 4:10 pm.
Officials representing the airline, Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC) and the other government officials were present at an official event.
With this, the total number of weekly flights to and from Suhar has reached 34, said Mohammed bin Nasser bin Zaabi, CEO, Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA).
This, he said, confirms the potential of Suhar as a future growth city.
To be operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the flight from Doha
will arrive at 4.10 pm and depart at 5:10 pm local time.
The average one-way fare starts from RO 65 for economy class.
The other international airline to operate from Suhar is Air Arabia, with eight weekly flights to Sharjah. The national budget airline also operates six weekly flights to Salalah from Suhar.
The three airlines started operating out of Suhar within a year after the national airline Oman Air stopped services (after two years of operations) citing poor response from customers.
The airport is expected to provide a quicker route to travellers wishing to access Suhar and the north of Oman. It will also serve as a new gateway for cargo and courier traffic in northern Oman.
Sohar Airport will serve as an emergency alternative to Muscat Airport for passengers and cargo coming into the Sultanate. The airport will have a capacity to handle 250,000 passengers and 50,000 tonnes of cargo per annum.
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