MUSCAT: Work has commenced on the upgrade and expansion of Muscat International Airport in Oman.


When the project is complete in 2011, the Sultanate of Oman’s principal air gateway will be able to accommodate more than 12 million annual visitor arrivals.

Plans for the airport development include a new terminal building, 32 air bridges and an additional runway while the existing runway will be upgraded to handle the super-sized Airbus A380.

The new terminal will be constructed between the airport’s runways and will have a floor area covering 290,000 square feet.

Located a short distance from Oman’s capital, Muscat, the airport last year handled 3.2 million international arrivals. A key component of the overall development is the construction of a new motorway linking the airport to Muscat.

Plans have also been announced for the construction of a new airport in Duqm located halfway between Muscat and Salalah.

The Duqm airport project forms part of a major development currently underway which includes plans for five hotels, 550 villas and 600 apartments and a yachting marina.