Muscat witnessed a decline in total air traveler traffic during the first seven months of 2026. Data published by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) revealed that 7,689,967 passengers traveled through Oman's airports by the end of July 2026. This figure, which includes arrivals, departures, and transit travelers, represents an 8.1 percent reduction from the 8,366,273 passengers documented during the corresponding period in 2025. Combined international flight operations across Muscat, Salalah, and Sohar airports fell by 9.5 percent to 45,904 flights, down from 50,747 in the prior year.
Muscat International Airport handled 49,315 domestic and international flights by the end of July 2026, reflecting a 7.3 percent drop from the 53,170 flights recorded in the same timeframe last year. Passenger numbers at the airport fell by 8 percent to 6,855,942. International flights at Muscat decreased by 8.4 percent to 43,970, with international passenger numbers dropping 9 percent to 6,164,584. Conversely, domestic operations in Muscat grew, with domestic flights increasing by 3.1 percent to 5,345 and domestic passengers rising by 2 percent to 691,358.
In terms of passenger nationalities at Muscat International Airport during July 2026, Omani citizens topped the list with 204,591 passengers, consisting of 95,111 arrivals and 109,480 departures. Indian nationals followed with 169,751 passengers, including 99,958 arrivals and 69,793 departures. Bangladeshi citizens ranked third, recording 46,665 passengers, with 23,171 arrivals and 23,494 departures.
Salalah Airport experienced a 5.3 percent decline in total flights, recording 5,569 movements, while total passengers fell by 8.4 percent to 797,620. This drop was driven by international travel, where flights fell by 30.8 percent to 1,864 and passengers dropped 32.9 percent to 246,257. In contrast, domestic traffic at Salalah grew significantly, as flights rose by 16.2 percent to 3,705 and passengers increased by 9.5 percent to 551,363.
Sohar Airport logged 122 total flights, a 6.2 percent drop, while passenger numbers fell 24.6 percent to 5,150. International flights at Sohar rose by 2.9 percent to 70, though international passengers decreased by 33.2 percent to 199. Domestic flights at Sohar dropped 16.1 percent to 52, with domestic passengers dropping 24.2 percent to 4,951. Meanwhile, Duqm Airport recorded 326 domestic flights, representing a 9.4 percent decline, alongside a 12.3 percent decrease in passenger numbers to 31,255.
