Muscat sees 19% surge in December passenger traffic

Muscat: The number of passengers using the Muscat International Airport increased 19 percent to 1,192,832 in December 2023 compared to 999,935 in the same period last year, according to the figures issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

During the same period, aircraft movement at Muscat Airport increased by 15 percent to 9,233 in 2023 from 8,035 in 2022.

The freight movement at Muscat increased by 0.4 percent to 12,961 tonnes from 12,906 tonnes.

The number of passengers using Salalah Airport increased 16 percent to 112,261 in December 2023 compared to 97,195 during the same period in 2022.

During the same period, aircraft movement at Salalah increased by 11 percent to 1,010 in 2023 from 912 in 2022.

The freight movement increased by 50 percent to 87 tonnes from 58 tonnes.

The number of passengers using Sohar Airport dropped 90 percent to 947 in December 2023 compared to 9,416 passengers in the same period in 2022.

During the same period, aircraft movement at Sohar increased by 52 percent to 134 in 2023 from 89 in 2022.

The number of passengers using Duqm Airport increased by one percent to 6,265 in December 2023 compared to 6, 225 passengers in the same in 2022.

During the same period, aircraft movement dropped by 15 percent to 74 in 2023 from 90 in 2022.

The number of aircraft passing the Omani airspace increased by 16 percent from 41,568 to 35,779.

According to IATA, The Middle East is expected to deliver a strong financial performance in both 2023 and 2024. The Middle East carriers have been swift to rebuild their international networks and restore their super-connector hubs. To that end, capacity is expected to grow faster than demand in 2024; however, with more efficient fleets, the net profit margin has the potential to slightly increase.

Consumers can expect airfares to continue to track rising costs, particularly oil. IATA data, however, show that competition continues to drive price benefits for consumers. The average real return air fare in 2023 is expected to be $254 which is 20% lower than the average fare of $315 in 2019.