New records for growth – Muscat 10 million and Salalah 1 million passengers in 2015
Oman Airports can look back on a year of a very strong passenger growth in Muscat and Salalah International Airports. The number of passengers in Muscat International Airport exceeded first time ever 10 million passengers (+18%). Additionally, Muscat International Airport broke first time 1 million passenger milestone per month in August, 2015. Salalah International Airport broke also its record – over 1,0 million passengers (+22%) to the newly opened, state of the art airport, resulting in increase in both domestic and international travel. Additionally, flight movements increased double digits i.e. Muscat International Airport by 15% exceeding 95 000 movements and Salalah International Airport by 21% reaching nearly 9 000 flight movements. Shk. Samer Al Nabhani, General Manager Commercial Operations Oman Airports stated that Oman airports has witnessed rapid growth over the past years doubling the passenger’s numbers only in the past 5year. This growth was attributed to different passenger mix including business, leisure and tourist travelers from various destination. We continued to boost the inbound tourism accessibility to Oman by facilitating the operation new airlines expanding the routes availability.
Oman Airport witnessed new destinations during the year when Oman Air started its operations to Singapore and Goa, India. Additionally, two new airlines started from Iranian market and a new carrier from Damascus, Syria. Transfer traffic in Muscat International Airport increased by 32% reaching nearly 3,8 million transfer passengers strengthening the airport’s hub strategy. The biggest markets to/from Oman are GCC countries representing 37%, Indian subcontinent 35% and Europe by nearly 10%. In addition to Oman Air’s rapid growth supported by introduction of first two B787 aircrafts in its growing fleet, also Qatar Airways, Fly Dubai, Emirates, Air India and Turkish Airlines showed double digit growth numbers in 2015.
Freight Transport
Freight Transport at Muscat International Airport enjoyed positive growth of 10%, where the cargo volumes in 2015 reached 134,5 thousand tons compared to 2014. Oman Air and Cargolux signed a joint venture agreement in 2015 aiming to develop Muscat as a consolidation center and a transit hub for shipments. By end of the year Cargolux was operating already a second weekly frequency to Chennai by B747 freighter. Additionally, Salalah Airport has also shown improvement in freight volumes growing by 27%. Salalah has a favorable geographic position and it is expected that airfreight growth continues also in the future by linking e.g. Africa and Europe.