Oman: Salalah Airport sees 5% jump in passengers, 16% in flights
Oman Airports said that total aircraft movements increased by 16 percent to 1,849 flights, compared to 1,592 flights in the 2024 season.
The total number of passengers increased by 5 percent to 288,110 passengers, compared to 274,030 passengers last year.
Arrivals saw a 16 percent increase in the number of flights, from 795 in 2024 to 925 in 2025, while the number of arriving passengers increased by 3 percent to 158,301, compared to 153,378 passengers last year.
Oman Airports said that it worked to provide a smooth and comfortable travel experience for passengers by implementing the latest technologies in completing procedures, expanding the capacity of airport lounges, and providing a variety of hospitality and commercial services.
It also launched the "Travel Easier" initiative, which enables passengers to complete travel procedures directly from their cars, saving time and enhancing comfort.
The growth in air traffic and passenger numbers reflects the growing tourist demand for Dhofar Governorate during the autumn season, thanks to its mild climate and seasonal rainfall.
2025 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
24 minutes ago
- Zawya
Oman: Wakan Village attracts over 27,000 visitors
Wakan Village in Wadi Mistal, the Wilayat of Nakhal in South al Batinah Governorate, received 27,428 visitors from January to July 2025, compared to 24,093 visitors during the same period in 2024, according to official statistics. Dr. Al-Mu'tasim Nasser Al-Hilali, Director of Heritage and Tourism in South Al Batinah Governorate, said that the village's diverse tourist attractions have established it as a year-round sustainable destination. He noted that summer tourism peaks due to the village's mild climate and seasonal fruit harvests, which begin with apricots in June, followed by peaches, then figs and pomegranates in July, and three varieties of local grapes (Al-Maqdmani, Al-Malasi, and sour grapes) in August. The recent opening of 'View Wakan' café, the village's third café, has further boosted visitor numbers, especially on weekends and official holidays. The village offers experiences such as mountain stays at its guesthouse and hiking along ancient agricultural and mountain trails, which have become popular among international adventurers. Wakan also features several historical landmarks, including an ancient mosque, old neighborhoods, and agricultural terraces dating back hundreds of years. 2025 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
24 minutes ago
- Zawya
South Africa focuses on youth to fuel aviation sector growth
The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has highlighted government initiatives aimed at equipping young South Africans with skills and opportunities to pursue careers in aviation. These programmes focus on accessibility, mentorship, and gender equity to develop a diverse next generation of aviation professionals. Image source: Gallo/Getty Programmes offered by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the Air Traffic Navigation Services support learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter professions such as pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, aeronautical engineers, airport management and development, as well as flight procedure designers, air traffic controllers and related fields. "Support includes structured training programmes; internships, bursaries and learnerships. In our system, there is a strong focus on promoting gender equity in professions which were previously male-dominated. "These programmes represent a deliberate and sustained effort by South African aviation entities to empower a new generation of aviation professionals who reflect the demographic diversity of our country. "Through these initiatives, our State is ensuring that access to critical skills and opportunities is broadened, particularly for young black South Africans and women, in line with our national transformation agenda," the Minister said on Tuesday in Durban. She was addressing the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit, which brings the aviation community together to collaborate on securing the future of aviation talent. "While the sector offers substantial opportunities, these will not materialise unless we address one fundamental challenge - the need for a new generation of skilled professionals. "As seasoned aviation workers retire and the demand for a skilled workforce grows, we must ensure that young people, especially across Africa, are equipped and prepared to step into these roles,' the Minister emphasised. Aviation sector's contribution to the economy According to the International Air Transport Association (Iata), in South Africa in 2023, air transport contributed approximately $ 5.7bn, or (around R105.4bn) one and a half percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 - equivalent to 1.5% of total GDP, supporting 46,000 jobs, 27,000 of whom are licensed aviation professionals. The ICAO forecasts a global demand for over two million qualified aviation personnel by 2030. "Through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) can exponentially enhance job creation and growth on the African continent. "In recognition of the key role aviation can play in economic development, the Department of Transport targets to reach 42 million passengers and 1.2million tons of air freight through the Acsa network of airports by 2029. 'This will be achieved by increasing the capacity and upgrading of existing airports and aviation facilities, creating new cargo terminals, streamlining airport services and the flow of passengers, and expanding the network of ACSA airports to ensure greater aviation capacity and connectivity throughout South Africa and the broader southern African region,' the Minister said. Barriers to entry and partnerships She encouraged the sector to invest in young people to ensure the sustainability of the aviation industry. "As we all know, the barriers to accessing aviation training can be unaffordable to youth in developing countries such as our own. Funding for training future aviation professionals is key to the growth and sustainability of the aviation industry," Creecy said. The Minister acknowledged the impact that Fly Safair and Airlink have made by partnering with the Regulator (SACAA) to absorb trainees, and provide on-the-job training, experience and flying hours. "I cannot overemphasise the importance of partnerships between the private sector and government in developing talent and ensuring a thriving aviation industry. "We must pay homage to the South African Air Force (SAAF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) Air Wing, who have continued to demonstrate the impact of aviation in public service. 'We also recognise the South African Airways (SAA) Cadet Pilot Programme, the Denel Technical Academy, Armscor, and SAAB have all played pivotal roles in nurturing critical aviation and engineering skills in our country,' she said. SAAB is a company that was primarily aimed at providing military aircraft to Sweden, but today provides products and services from military defence to civil security. Creecy said the contribution of the Transport Education Training Authority, through ongoing funding support, cannot be overstated - without financial backing, potential often remains unrealised. The Minister also mentioned the non-profit sector with organisations such as Sakhikamva Foundation, Aviation Development Africa, The Children's Flight, and Girl Fly Programme in Africa. "Workforce and skills development challenges are global, and collaboration is essential. That is why South Africa is also an active member of the Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Taskforce (GAAST) — a growing international coalition bringing together States, regulators, and industry leaders to address global skills shortages and ensure workforce resilience. "The taskforce, which works closely with ICAO's Next Generation of Aviation Professionals programme, aims to build a repository of best practice, support diversity and inclusion, and ensure that talent development keeps pace with new technologies, safety requirements, and decarbonisation,' the Minister said. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
24 minutes ago
- Zawya
Oman: Hydrom launches green hydrogen incentives
Oman's third auction round is progressing with strong momentum, offering a land block of up to 300 square kilometers in Duqm. Hydrom, the orchestrator of Oman's national green hydrogen strategy, has announced new fiscal incentives designed to enhance the commercial viability of projects that will be awarded through the ongoing third green hydrogen auction round. The measures represent a targeted response to a market sounding exercise conducted by Hydrom earlier this year and evolving global market dynamics, reaffirming the country's position as one of the world's most structured and investment-ready hydrogen ecosystems. The new incentive includes a 90% reduction in land lease fees during the development stage with potential for further relief during the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase, alongside significant reductions in base royalties during the initial years of production, and Corporate Tax exemptions for up to 10 years. Together, these measures are designed to support early-stage project economics, improve internal rates of return, and facilitate accelerated progress towards final investment decisions. Eng Abdulaziz al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom said. 'The global hydrogen landscape is entering a phase of consolidation, with developers prioritising jurisdictions that provide regulatory certainty, strong project economics, and credible offtake potential. The newly introduced incentives reflect Hydrom's proactive approach to evolving market dynamics, reaffirming Oman's position as a delivery-focused, investment-ready destination for large-scale hydrogen development.' Eng. Abdulaziz al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom. Designed with flexibility, transparency, and scalability at its core, Oman's third auction round is progressing with strong momentum, offering a land block of up to 300 square kilometers in Duqm and inviting proposals for projects covering a minimum of 100 square kilometers. Bidders have the flexibility in defining their project footprint within the block, enabling tailored configurations that align with individual development strategies and market requirements. To date, almost 100 registrations have been received from major industry players and consortia across the green hydrogen value chain. This strong market response underscores a sustained appetite for structured, policy-backed green hydrogen development opportunities. Round 3 continues to attract serious first movers and institutional investors seeking to scale up operations in a competitive and structured environment. The Statement of Qualification (SoQ) submission window remains open until October 31, 2025, and Hydrom encourages all interested parties to register and submit their documents via the dedicated platform. To support the formation of strong consortia in Round 3, Hydrom will launch an updated consortium matchmaking list, an established tool that has successfully connected qualified participants seeking strategic project partnerships. 2025 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
