Muscat – Despite the recent efforts to streamline operations with the introduction of new e-gates and increased counters, Muscat International Airport continues to be congested with passengers waiting to complete their immigration procedures.

The new e-gates, designed to expedite the immigration process, still face operational challenges. Airport staff are on standby to assist passengers maneuver the system; however, the gates have yet to become completely viable.

To utilize the e-gate, passengers are required to scan their passports, undergo facial recognition by looking into the camera, and complete fingerprint scanning by sliding their right hand. There are clear instructions, even videos to specify the steps to follow, but there is no guarantee that the gate will open after the last step.

Passengers who fail to pass through the e-gate are required to join the regular queue, adding to the mounting frustration of being in one queue after the other, most moving at a sluggish pace.
While initial hiccups are anticipated to ease over time, travelers returning home after lengthy flights from holidays or trips find the current queues and delays to be a significant challenge. Many disgruntled passengers have turned to social media platforms to vent their frustrations.