Oman Airport Passenger Traffic Shows Steady Growth Through September 2025
Oman’s aviation sector continues on a positive trajectory, with passenger traffic through the Sultanate’s airports experiencing a modest 0.7% increase up to the end of September 2025. This growth, detailed in preliminary statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), indicates a resilient travel market despite fluctuating global conditions. Total passenger numbers reached 11,176,189, a slight rise from the 11,097,577 recorded during the same period in 2024. This positive trend highlights Oman’s increasing appeal as a travel destination and a key transit hub.
Muscat International Airport: Maintaining Volume with Shifting Dynamics
Muscat International Airport remains the primary gateway for travelers to Oman, handling the vast majority of the country’s air traffic. The airport welcomed 9,767,193 passengers by the end of September 2025, representing a 0.1% increase year-on-year. While passenger numbers remain strong, a notable shift is occurring in flight volume.
Flight Numbers at Muscat International
Interestingly, the number of flights through Muscat International Airport decreased by 5%, totaling 69,439 compared to 73,095 in the previous year. This suggests airlines are utilizing larger aircraft or optimizing routes, leading to fewer overall flights but maintaining similar passenger capacity. This could be a response to rising fuel costs or a strategic move to improve operational efficiency. Analyzing these flight patterns is crucial for understanding the evolving landscape of air travel in Oman.
Salalah and Duqm Airports: Regional Growth and Stability
Beyond Muscat, other Omani airports are demonstrating varied performance. Salalah Airport experienced significant growth, with passenger numbers jumping by 9.3% to reach 1,345,356. This surge is accompanied by a 5.7% increase in flights, reaching 8,670. Salalah’s popularity as a tourist destination, particularly during the Khareef (monsoon) season, is undoubtedly a key driver of this growth.
Duqm Airport, meanwhile, maintained a stable performance, with a 0.7% increase in passenger numbers, reaching 45,083. The number of flights saw a slight decrease of 1.3%, totaling 460. Duqm’s strategic location and ongoing development as a logistics hub are expected to contribute to future growth in Oman’s tourism sector.
Sohar Airport: Facing Challenges in Passenger Volume
Sohar Airport, unfortunately, experienced a significant decline in both passenger traffic and flight numbers. Passenger traffic plummeted by 71.1% to 18,557, and flights decreased by 61.4% to 210. This decline requires further investigation to understand the underlying causes, which could include route adjustments by airlines or regional economic factors. Addressing these challenges will be vital for revitalizing Sohar Airport’s performance.
Nationality Breakdown: Indian Travelers Lead the Way
The statistics also reveal valuable insights into the demographics of travelers passing through Muscat International Airport. Indian nationals topped the list, with a total of 158,572 passengers (86,898 arrivals and 71,674 departures) during September 2025. This underscores the strong economic and cultural ties between Oman and India.
Omani citizens followed closely behind, with 115,092 passengers (58,491 arrivals and 56,601 departures). Bangladeshi nationals rounded out the top three, with 43,052 passengers (21,322 arrivals and 21,730 departures). Understanding these travel patterns is essential for airlines and tourism operators to tailor their services and marketing efforts effectively. The consistent flow of international visitors contributes significantly to Oman’s economy.
Looking Ahead: Continued Growth and Strategic Development
The overall increase in passenger traffic through Oman’s airports, despite some regional variations, paints a positive picture for the Sultanate’s aviation industry. The growth at Salalah Airport and the stability at Duqm Airport demonstrate the potential for regional development. While Muscat International Airport faces a slight decrease in flight numbers, its overall passenger volume remains robust.
Moving forward, continued investment in airport infrastructure, strategic route development, and targeted marketing campaigns will be crucial for sustaining this growth and solidifying Oman’s position as a leading travel destination in the region. Further analysis of the NCSI data, particularly regarding the decline at Sohar Airport, will be essential for informed decision-making and ensuring a thriving aviation sector for the Sultanate of Oman.
