Passenger numbers across Oman’s airports fell notably in early 2025, reflecting changing travel patterns and operational pressures. By the end of April, Oman airport traffic dips became clear, with the total hitting 4,701,055 passengers. This figure marked a 4.1 percent fall from 4,901,855 during the same period in 2024. Declines emerged primarily from Muscat International Airport, which handles the vast majority of air traffic. These drops come despite regional increases in some smaller airports like Salalah.
Muscat International recorded 4,222,789 passengers by April’s close, sliding 4.7 percent compared to last year. Flights also declined sharply, falling by 8.6 percent to 29,731 from 32,520 in 2024. These trends underline the broader slowdown at the capital’s main travel hub. While international connectivity remains high, airlines appear to be adjusting frequencies. Oman airport traffic dips highlight the growing need for diversification in airline routes.
Salalah Airport bucked the trend slightly, posting a 6.8 percent rise in passengers to 458,394. However, flights there dipped marginally, down 0.2 percent to 2,974. The southern hub continues to benefit from domestic tourism and Gulf travelers. Seasonal surges and new promotions may explain the localized growth. Still, Salalah’s gains could not offset Muscat’s broader decline.
Sohar Airport faced the steepest losses, with passenger numbers falling by 98.7 percent. Just 307 passengers used the airport by April 2025, down from 23,842 the year before. Flights also plunged by 62.5 percent to only 72 operations. These figures suggest a major operational contraction, likely tied to airline suspensions. Again, Oman airport traffic dips reflect uneven recovery across regional airports.
Duqm Airport, a smaller facility, saw a milder decline. Passenger traffic dropped 2.7 percent to 19,565, while flights slipped by 1.9 percent to 204. The industrial port town continues to struggle with consistent travel demand. Without new commercial routes, passenger growth remains limited. The broader theme of Oman airport traffic dips resonates here as well.
At Muscat, Indian nationals led traffic stats with 182,628 total travelers by April 2025. Omani citizens followed with 101,087 passengers, while Pakistani travelers ranked third at 47,078. These three groups accounted for the bulk of movements through the capital’s gateway. The data suggests that regional and expatriate travel continues to drive demand. However, declines still show that Oman airport traffic dips are an issue despite high-interest groups.
