MUSCAT – Oman is pushing ahead with plans to rehabilitate a secondary runway at Salalah Airport to serve as an emergency backup, part of a broader infrastructure expansion as the country’s aviation sector posts record growth, a senior official said on Monday.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has commissioned a consultancy study to assess rehabilitation needs for the runway, with results expected by mid-2026, Salim bin Rashid Al Harrasi, Head of Airport Projects at the CAA, told a media briefing in Muscat.

The project aims to bolster operational resilience at Salalah, a key gateway to southern Oman’s Dhofar region and a growing tourism destination, by ensuring continuous operations during maintenance or emergencies affecting the primary runway.

“The consultancy study is currently underway and is expected to be completed by mid-year,” Al Harrasi said, without disclosing the project’s estimated cost or timeline for construction.

The runway upgrade comes as Oman’s aviation sector experiences its strongest performance to date. The industry generated RO 107 million in 2025, the highest annual revenue in its history, according to CAA data.

The sultanate’s airports handled more than 15 million passengers last year, while overflight traffic exceeded 585,000 aircraft, underscoring the country’s growing importance as a regional aviation hub.

Oman has been investing heavily in airport infrastructure as part of efforts to diversify its oil-dependent economy and capitalize on growing tourism and trade flows in the region.

The CAA has completed technical and financial evaluations for several regional airport projects, including facilities at Jabal Akhdar, Masirah and Ras Al Hadd, with approval of executive development plans expected later this year, Al Harrasi said.

Other projects include a new passenger terminal at Sohar Airport, scheduled for completion in early 2029, and an aircraft maintenance hangar at Muscat International Airport that has reached 98% completion.