logo

Oman's airports receive 5.79mln passengers by end of May

Zawya17-07-2025
Oman - The total number of passengers through Oman's airports (Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, and Duqm Airport), reached approximately 5.79 million passengers by the end of May 2025, compared to 5.96 during the same period in 2024, reflecting a 3 per cent decline, according to preliminary data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
Muscat International Airport handled 5.20 million passengers by the end of May 2025, compared to 5.39 milion in the same period of the previous year, recording a decrease of 3.5 per cent, and the number of flights also declined by 7.5 percent to 37,307 flights, compared to 40,322 flights in the same period of 2024, reported ONA.
The data indicated that Salalah Airport recorded a 6.7 per cent increase in the number of passengers, reaching 5.57 million passengers by the end of May 2025, compared to 5.22 million in the same period of 2024.
However, the total number of flights recorded a slight decline of 0.3 per cent, totalling 3,717 compared to 3,730 flights by the end of May 2024.
Sohar Airport recorded a sharp 98.8 per cent drop from 336 passengers by the end of May 2025 to 27,350 passenger traffic by the end of May 2024.
Meanwhile, the number of flights also declined by 63.7 per cent, reaching 82 flights, compared to 226 flights by the end of May 2024.
Duqm Airport also recorded a decline in flight operations by 1.5 per cent, with 256 flights compared to 260 in the same period in previous year, while the Passenger numbers at the same airport fell by 1.2 per cent, totalling 25,371 passengers by the end of May 2025, compared to 25,675 in May 2024.
The statistics revealed that Indian nationals topped the list of most frequent travellers (arrivals and departures) through Muscat International Airport during May 2025, with a total of 193,861 passengers, including 85,447 arrivals and 108,414 departures.
The Indian nationals' passengers were followed by Omani nationals' passengers with a total of 108,916 passengers, including 54,086 arrivals and 54,830 departures, and Pakistani nationals came third with 46,930 passengers, including 21,267 arrivals and 25,663 departures.
Syndigate.info).
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Oman: Injured hiker rescued while mountain trekking in Salalah
Oman: Injured hiker rescued while mountain trekking in Salalah

Khaleej Times

time7 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Oman: Injured hiker rescued while mountain trekking in Salalah

Omani authorities rescued a hiker who sustained injuries while mountain trekking in Salalah. Rescue and ambulance teams from the Civil Defence and Ambulance Department in Dhofar Governorate swiftly responded to the emergency on Thursday. The incident occurred in the rugged terrain surrounding the popular hiking areas of Salalah. Authorities confirmed that the individual suffered a moderate injury. Upon arrival at the scene, emergency responders provided immediate medical assistance before transporting the injured hiker to the hospital for further treatment. Omani authorities urged outdoor enthusiasts to take necessary precautions and ensure safety measures while engaging in mountain and nature activities, particularly during the Khareef season when trails can become slippery and unpredictable.

Etihad Airways brings first-class luxury to small planes in rare move
Etihad Airways brings first-class luxury to small planes in rare move

The National

timea day ago

  • The National

Etihad Airways brings first-class luxury to small planes in rare move

Etihad Airways took delivery of its first Airbus A321LR in Hamburg on Thursday, featuring first-class seats on a small plane – a departure from industry norms, where premium cabins are typically found on long-haul flights aboard wide-body aircraft. This is the first of 20 A321LR aircraft to join Etihad's fleet, leased from AerCap, the world's largest aircraft lessor, the airline said on Thursday. Commercial flights start on August 1. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is known for its ultra-luxury product, The Residence – a three-room configuration featuring a private bedroom, an en suite shower and a living area with a Savoy-trained personal butler – available on the mammoth double-decker Airbus A380. Now, Etihad is introducing a first-class suite on its long-range, single-aisle A321LR jet, flying short-to-medium-haul routes. Analysts say the ambitious cabin layout is unusual in the industry. 'It's extremely rare,' said Linus Bauer, founder and managing director of UAE-based boutique aviation consultancy BAA & Partners. The A321LR and longer-range A321XLR aircraft have been mainly positioned as 'premium-capable narrowbodies, but first-class installations remain an exception', he said. 'Typically, first class is the domain of wide-body, long-haul aircraft where both cabin space and yield potential justify the added cost and real estate,' he said. First class has increasingly become a niche product and many airlines have ceased offering it on their long-haul routes, said John Strickland, aviation analyst and director of JLS Consulting. 'That said, there is a core market in the Gulf region which Etihad can tap,' he said. 'Back to the game' Etihad Airways' boss said the first-class offering on narrow-body jets will be a game-changer for the airline. 'I'm 100 per cent confident that the product we've designed is going to be wow for first-class customers in a narrow-body … Etihad is back to the game,' Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad's chief executive, told The National ahead of the delivery. 'It's not about the size of the plane that you cannot create a first-class experience. It's all about execution and the product you offer.' Amenities in the new first-class suite include two private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, lie-flat beds and companion seating, along with a large 20in 4K screen for entertainment, with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging. 'Today marks an extraordinary moment for Etihad as we welcome an aircraft that changes everything we thought possible on a single-aisle plane,' Mr Neves said. 'The A321LR enables us to serve more destinations with the same premium experience.' A321LR routes Etihad's A321LR will operate from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport to short- and medium-haul destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It will initially fly to Phuket before expanding service to Algiers, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Krakow, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Tunis and Zurich. An additional nine A321LR aircraft will be delivered throughout 2025, supporting the airline's ambitious growth plans to carry 38 million passengers annually by the end of the decade. This target has been revised up from a previous goal of 33 million and forms part of its Journey 2030 strategy, which also calls for doubling its fleet size. Etihad is aggressively expanding its network, having launched or announced 27 new routes this year. The A321LR is a longer-range variant of Airbus' A321neo. The aircraft has a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,400km), thanks to three additional centre tanks that store extra fuel. Airbus says airlines can configure the A321LR cabin with layouts ranging from a single-class arrangement to multi-class set-ups featuring full-flat premium seats. Luxury in smaller confines Etihad seems to be using the A321LR features as a differentiator in the market, rather than a people-mover, analysts said. 'This isn't just about seat segmentation. It's a continuation of Etihad's boutique pivot – an identity centred around bespoke, high-touch experiences, especially post-pandemic,' Mr Bauer said. 'In the age of upgauging and densification, this is a contrarian move – but one that could carve out a defensible niche.' The product is also a differentiator on popular, high-yield, regional routes with high competition. Putting the premium experiences associated with large planes on to narrow-bodies helps airlines like Etihad to preserve brand consistency across the board, Mr Linus said. 'For Etihad, a first class suite on a narrowbody ensures continuity with its wide-body experience and upsells to ultra-high-net worth individuals or VIPs travelling regionally or connecting onward in premium cabins,' he said. A321LR features First Suites: private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, fully-flat beds. Each window-facing suite features a 20in 4K screen, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and additional space for a companion to sit. Business Class: features 14 wide-body-style seats with a 17.3in 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing and wireless charging. Economy Class: 144 seats that are 18.4in wide, with a five-inch recline, 13.3in, 4K touchscreens and USB charging.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi doubles flights to Pakistan cities Faisalabad, Multan
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi doubles flights to Pakistan cities Faisalabad, Multan

Arabian Business

timea day ago

  • Arabian Business

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi doubles flights to Pakistan cities Faisalabad, Multan

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has announced the expansion of its operations in Pakistan with increased flight frequencies to Faisalabad and Multan. The carrier will increase flights to Multan from two to five per week, with daily services commencing in September. Services to Faisalabad have doubled from two to four weekly flights. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi expands Pakistan operations The increase in capacity strengthens air connectivity between the UAE and Pakistan, reinforcing the airline's commitment to offering affordable, reliable, and convenient travel options to its growing customer base. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: 'Pakistan remains a key growth market for Air Arabia Abu Dhabi. The increased frequencies to Multan and Faisalabad reflect our commitment to meeting the growing demand for affordable and reliable air travel between the UAE and Pakistan, while providing our customers with greater convenience and enhanced connectivity.' The frequency increases follow Air Arabia Abu Dhabi's recent launch of a new direct route to Sialkot, further expanding its footprint across Pakistan and catering to the growing demand for affordable air travel between the two countries. As part of its growth strategy, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi plans to add two aircraft to its fleet before the end of the year, enhancing its operational capacity and supporting the launch of new routes as it continues to grow its network across key markets. The expansion provides passengers with more flexible travel options between the UAE and Pakistan's key cities.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store