The new Salalah Airport has begun operations, with the arrival of an Oman Air flight from the capital city of Muscat
The airport?s new terminal building has the capacity to accommodate two million passengers, which would be upgraded up to six million in four stages. The gross floor area is 65,638 sq m with new runway specifications of 4,000 metres x 75 metres, which can receive big aircraft including an A380.
According to reports, the existing airport has witnessed surge in passenger traffic during recent years and there has been increase in frequency of charter flights carrying a large number of tourists from Scandinavian countries, Germany and Italy, besides passengers from neighbouring GCC and European countries.
The new airport also has an additional baggage claim conveyor belt to provide a separation between the domestic and international passengers.
The baggage handling system constitutes of state-of-the-art check-in facilities at the departure hall of the passenger terminal building. The airport is also equipped with the latest technology for security screening.
With more immigration counters and queuing space, the airport is equipped with additional restrooms for the comfort of passengers.
According to airport sources, the upgrade is in line with the government?s commitment to establish infrastructural facilities that can keep pace with the international market. The new airport is expected to boost Salalah?s business and tourist movement.
