Duqm airport can handle half a million passengers

DUQM AIRPORT was officially dedicated to the nation on Monday, with officials expressing confidence in its ability to emerge as Oman’s third major full-fledged aviation hub after Muscat and Salalah. Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidy, Minister of Interior, unveiled the plaque in the airport premises in the presence of ministers and officials.

Initially, the airport started operations in the summer of July 2014 from a temporary passenger terminal, which shifted to the newlycompleted Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) in September 2018.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications (MOTC), said the airport will be the main engine of economic growth of Duqm by offering direct connectivity with the rest of the world.

It has the potential to handle half a million passengers annually in the current phase with scope for future expansions to handle two million passengers a year.

Mustafa bin Mohammed al Hinai, CEO, Oman Aviation Group (OAG), said, “Fish from Al Wusta Governorate can be exported to rest of the world through Duqm and Muscat International Airport. He underlined the importance of this airport as Duqm Special Economic Zone has managed to attract investors, including in tourism projects, from countries like India, Japan and China.” Shaikh Ayman bin Ahmed al Hosani, CEO, Oman Airports, said the number of passengers using the Duqm Airport reached 57,000 at the end of 2018.

He said the company is working on its marketing plan to attract airlines while Oman Air flies daily between Muscat and Duqm except on Fridays.

The airport started operations in the summer of July 2014 from a temporary terminal, which shifted to the newlycompleted Passenger Terminal Building in September 2018