MUSCAT – However, the total number of passengers traveling through Oman’s airports fell by 3 percent, totalling 5,790,010 compared to 5,968,622 in the first five months of 2024.

According to preliminary data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, Muscat International Airport handled 5,207,005 passengers by the end of May 2025 – a 3.5 percent decrease from 5,393,373 in the same period last year. The number of flights at the airport also declined by 7.5 percent, with 37,307 flights recorded compared to 40,322 a year earlier.

At Salalah Airport, despite the passenger growth, total flights saw a slight 0.3 percent drop to 3,717 flights from 3,730 in May 2024.Sohar Airport witnessed a huge 98.8 percent decrease in the number of passengers by the end of May 2025, reaching 336 passengers, compared to 27,350 passengers during the same period last year. The number of flights also decreased by 63.7 percent, reaching 82 flights, compared to 226 flights by the end of May 2024.

Meanwhile, the number of flights at Duqm Airport decreased by 1.5 percent until the end of May 2025, recording 256 flights compared to 260 flights during the same period last year. The number of passengers also decreased by 1.2 percent, reaching 25,371 passengers, compared to 25,675 passengers by the end of May 2024.

Statistics showed that Indian nationalities topped the list of nationalities with the highest number of departures and arrivals through Muscat International Airport during May 2025, with a total of 193,861 passengers (85,447 arrivals and 108,414 departures). Omani nationals followed with 108,916 passengers (54,086 arrivals, 54,830 departures), Pakistani nationals came third 46,930 passengers (21,267 arriving passengers and 25,663 departing passengers).