Oman Airports Record Nine Point Three Percent Passenger Traffic Decline During First Five Months of Two Thousand Twenty Six

Passenger traffic through Oman's airport network decreased by 9.3 percent during the first five months of 2026. The traffic drop prompts airport operators and tourism stakeholders to adjust their regional capacity strategies.

The Core Transit Update

Official statistics published by the Oman National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) show that passenger volumes at national airports reached 5.25 million between January and May 2026. This represents a decline of approximately 540,000 passengers compared to the 5.79 million recorded during the same period in 2025. The traffic decline covers the country's primary gateways, including Muscat International Airport (MCT) and Salalah Airport (SLL).

To counter this early-year slowdown, the Oman Civil Aviation Authority is coordinating with carriers to boost summer transit capacity. For the peak Khareef (monsoon) season in Dhofar, Oman Air has expanded its seasonal capacity to Salalah. The national carrier will provide approximately 330,000 seats for the 2026 Khareef period, up from 313,000 seats in the previous year.

Oman Airport Traffic and Seasonal Capacity Comparison

The passenger volume trends and seasonal airline capacity allocations include:

Metric Parameter	January–May 2025 Period	January–May 2026 Period	Net Difference / Operational Change
Total Airport Passenger Traffic	5.79 Million Passengers	5.25 Million Passengers	-540,000 Passengers (-9.3%)
Muscat International Airport (MCT)	Primary Gateway Volume	Primary Gateway Volume	Reduced international transfer traffic
Salalah Airport (SLL) Volume	Early-Year Regional Baseline	Early-Year Regional Baseline	Early-year traffic drop before Khareef
Oman Air Khareef Seat Capacity	313,000 Seats (2025 Season)	330,000 Seats (2026 Season)	+17,000 Seats (+5.4% capacity boost)
Sohar and Duqm Regional Airports	Domestic Baseline Traffic	Domestic Baseline Traffic	Reduced corporate charter connectivity

Traveler Logistics Guide (Information Gain)

For passengers traveling to or transiting through the Sultanate of Oman:

Transit and Transfer Windows at Muscat (MCT): If connecting from an international flight to a domestic sector to Salalah (SLL) at Muscat International, allow a transfer window of at least 2 hours. For international-to-international transfers, a 1.5-hour layover is sufficient to pass through transit security.
Oman Entry Visa Policies: Tourists from eligible countries can enter Oman visa-free for up to 14 days. For longer stays, travelers must apply for an e-visa online through the official Royal Oman Police (ROP) portal prior to arrival.
Smart Immigration Gates: Muscat International Airport is equipped with electronic immigration gates (e-gates) for departures and arrivals. Travelers holding biometric passports can bypass customs queues by scanning their documents at the self-service kiosks.
Seasonal Domestic Flight Bookings: Due to the high popularity of the Khareef monsoon season (July to September), domestic flights between Muscat and Salalah sell out quickly. Secure domestic tickets at least 30 days in advance to avoid peak seasonal fares.

Infrastructure Investment and Vision 2040 Impact

The early-year decline in passenger volumes represents a short-term adjustment rather than a failure of the national Vision 2040 strategy. The government's investment in expanding Muscat and Salalah airport terminals provides a solid foundation to handle long-term capacity.

Tourism stakeholders are shifting focus from high-volume transit traffic to high-value premium visitors. Expanding seasonal flight options to Salalah during the Khareef monsoon helps distribute passenger traffic, supporting hotels and resorts across the Dhofar governorate.