CAA Celebrates 7th Anniversary
of Muscat Airport, 10th Anniversary of Salalah Airport

Muscat, 11 Nov (ONA) — The Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA) today celebrated the 7th anniversary of the
opening of Muscat International Airport and the 10th anniversary of
the opening of Salalah Airport. The airports constitute two national pillars
of the air transport system in the Sultanate of Oman. They boast state-of-the art infrastructure compatible
with the latest global standards and technologies.

While celebrating the two airports’
anniversaries, the CAA affirms its mandate to develop a safe and sustainable
operating environment that enhances the competitiveness of the civil aviation
sector and the attractiveness of the Sultanate of Oman as a leading regional
aviation hub. This approach is in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040
in achieving balanced and sustainable development.

Since its opening way back on 11 November
2018, Muscat International Airport has developed into a major hub in the system
of air transport in the Sultanate of Oman. The airport occupies 11th
position globally, as it figures in the category of 15-25
million passengers a year.

Muscat International Airport registered
more than 1.06 million passengers during October 2025, compared to 955,000
passengers in October 2024, posting a growth rate of 12 percent.

In terms of air traffic, Muscat
International Airport maintained stability in the number of flights during October
2025, during which it operated approximately 8,000 flights.

As part of the efforts of its efforts to boost the efficiency of infrastructure and raise the
readiness of airports, the CAA opened southern runway project at Muscat International
Airport in 2024. The project assumes significance due
to the fact that it meets the specifications set by the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) on enhancing international and domestic air
traffic.

In 2024, Muscat International
Airport bagged a number of international awards, including “The Best Airport in
the Middle East” award for the category of 5-15 million passengers a year, “The
Best Staff in the Middle East” award, “The Easiest Airport Journey in the
Middle East” award and “The Cleanest Airport in the Middle East” award.

Meanwhile, the 10th anniversary of
the opening of Salalah Airport’s building on 11 November 2015 celebrates the
airport’s position as a major hub connecting Dhofar Governorate with the rest
of the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman and the world at large. The airport
stands out as a basic supporter of tourism in Dhofar Governorate.

Salalah Airport saw 15 percent growth in
passenger traffic during October 2025, during which it dealt with more than 104,000
passengers, compared to 91,000 in October 2024. Aircraft traffic at the
airport also rose by 8 percent in October 2025, compared to aircraft traffic during October in 2024.

Salalah Airport continues to excel
in international rankings by maintaining its 5-star rating from Skytrax since
2019, in addition to scaling up to 4th place globally in the
category of airports with less than two million passengers.

Salalah Airport won five awards in
2024, including “The Best Airport in the Middle East” award for the category of
less than two million passengers, “The Easiest Airport Journey in the Middle
East” award, “The Best Staff in the Middle East” award, “The Cleanest Airport
in the Middle East” award and “The Most Enjoyable Airport in the Middle East”
award.

— Ends/Bishara