Times of Oman

Top officials visit new Muscat airport as opening a step closer

- GAUTAM VISWANATHA­N

A E JAMES

MUSCAT: A “trickle-down” effect of the planned OMR4.4 billion investment in oil and gas next year should mean MUSCAT: Senior government officials paid a visit to the new Muscat Internatio­nal Airport, as the Sultanate’s transport hub prepares for its grand opening.

Gen Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu’amani Minister of Royal Office, as well as the Head of Communicat­ions and Coordinati­on for the Royal Office, was briefed on the facilities at the new airport.

He was accompanie­d by Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communicat­ions, and Mohammed Al Zaabi, CEO of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), and several senior figures from the Royal Office.

Tests to finalise the feasibilit­y and readiness of the airport are now nearing completion.

The latest among these tests were the Operationa­l Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) operations, which took place in the presence of Internatio­nal Air Transport Associatio­n (IATA) of- and cost efficient practices to do your projects, I think it can give rise to new verticals. This money being pumped into the economy is good news for business next year,” Madhu G.N., VP of Strategy at Al Siraj Holding.

Imtiaz Sikder, financial advisor, said: “This will be excellent for all the sectors in Oman. We need to wait and see how these funds are distribute­d.” ficials. “The size and complexity of today’s major airports and their systems make this kind of methodical preparatio­n necessary,” said Katherine Kaczynska of the IATA, at that time. “An ORAT process can take anywhere between three months and a year to complete.

It requires significan­t time and effort but is an absolutely vital step to ensure a flawless opening for any major airport project.

“It is the best way to ensure that everything functions as designed from day one,” she added.“Opening an airport facility is a complex endeavour, therefore, methodical preparatio­n is necessary before an airport can start operations.”

According to Oman Airports Management Company, the new terminal at the airport will be able to handle about 12 million passengers per annum.

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 ??  ?? READINESS: Tests to finalise the feasibilit­y and readiness of the airport are now nearing completion.
READINESS: Tests to finalise the feasibilit­y and readiness of the airport are now nearing completion.

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