MUSCAT - The new Muscat International Airport, which was inaugurated on Sunday, is one of the most important achievements in the field of civil aviation, said Mr. Abdenbi Manar, Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization. "This is an opportunity to confirm the efforts of the Arab authorities In order to develop the air transport sector, which has a significant impact on the economy of countries, especially at the level of gross domestic product and employment opportunities. He explained that "the opening of the new airport crowned the efforts of the Arab countries, which have become a competition for strong countries in the field of civil aviation." On the sidelines of the ceremony, which coincided with the celebration of the Sultanate´s 48th National Day, HH the Amir, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Vice-President, His Highness Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Minister for Cabinet Affairs.

"The Director General said in a statement to the media that" Arab airports have become the top airports in terms of infrastructure and quality of services, and there are Arab companies in civil aviation ranking in the top position at the international level in terms of security and safety of aircraft, "describing The opening of Muscat International Airport as "one of the greatest moments in the Arab world, and an opportunity to demonstrate the efforts of the Arab countries without exception in the field of civil aviation; and also honors and encourages Arab countries, despite the constraints and difficulties that they face."

Ahmed Al Futtaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, stressed that Muscat International Airport is a qualitative addition to the civil aviation sector in the Sultanate, which will strengthen the sector´s system at the regional level thanks to its potential, high level of systems and equipment, and its ability to accommodate increasing number of passengers coming and leaving the Sultanate.

The Omani official added that the facility, thanks to all the potential provided, has become an economic, tourist and investment entity for the Sultanate and that, according to international civil aviation standards, it is considered to be an ideal airport. It will accommodate 20 million passengers per year in its first phase and will increase to 56 million passengers in later stages.

He explained that after years of planning and continuous implementation, this economic and tourism facility, which represents a unique model in terms of size, shape, organization and equipment, has become a great addition to the prestigious projects witnessed in the Sultanate during the 48 years of the Renaissance.

Muscat International Airport, which is overseen by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, has a passenger terminal with a capacity of 20 million passengers per year, a 4 km runway, a 103-meter air control tower, an air cargo terminal and a catering terminal as well as an aircraft maintenance building and other buildings.

Muscat International Airport was designed according to international standards and to the highest level of service available at the ideal airports and according to the classification adopted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Since the start of commercial operations in March, the airport has increased the number of international flights at the airport and the number of passengers which has grown steadily. The number of passengers on the new airport reached 11,419,791 passengers by the end of September, including arrivals, departures and transfers. The number of international flights reached 80,246 flight by the end of September, 6.9 percent more compared to the same period in 2017.

The total terminal building surface is about 580,000 square meters and consists of three wings (three levels per wing) and the central area (five levels) connecting the three wings in addition to VIP arrival and departure lounges.

The building includes 118 airport checking desks and 82 checking desks by Oman Company. Retail outlets are located on the air and land sides of the building, covering an area of ??12,000 square meters.

It also includes two dedicated high-capacity aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus 747 aircraft gates, 10 cargo baggage lines, eight international flights and two domestic flights with a capacity of 5200 bags per hour, 11.2 kilometers long.

The building has first class and business facilities, airline offices, vehicle rentals, tourist information desks and miscellaneous services. It also includes a 90-room air-conditioned hotel with essential services for guests. The design of the building has taken into account future expansions by allocating an area that can accommodate an additional 90 rooms.

The building has 40 air bridges to transport passengers to and from the aircraft through 29 lounges, 16 additional waiting areas for passengers to and from the aircraft by bus when necessary, as well as parking spaces with a capacity of 59 parking spaces. Air navigation control and communication systems were supplied and installed and linked to Salalah Airport and regional airports in the Sultanate through air control towers, Muscat Air Control Center, the emergency and training center. In addition, supporting equipments and installation of the supporting system equipments and the linking of external facilities inside and outside the airport such as radars and radiofrequency were installed,

Muscat International Airport has 4722 parking spaces, of which 2054 are shaded with shaded passageways to connect the parking lot to the terminal, as well as bus halls, service buildings and facilities.