Muscat: Incoming and outgoing flights and air traffic operations in Salalah were on Monday shifted to the new Salalah International Airport ahead of its official opening this November. The last flight from Salalah’s old airport — a Qatar Airways service to Doha — was reported at 5:20 am, marking the closure of the airport after 38 years of operation.
It may be noted that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recently established an office in Salalah to transport relief material to people in war-torn Yemen.
Mohammad Bin Nasser Al Za’abi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation, told Oman News Agency that the new airport is meant to be a landmark in the Dhofar governorate and help boost Oman’s tourism sector.
The new airport boasts state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that place it among the most modern airports in the world.
The passenger terminal is spread over 65,000 square metres and will serve over 2 million travellers per annum in the first stage. The main runway is 4 km long and 75 metres wide and can receive the largest airplanes including the A380.
The airport also boasts the latest air navigation technology including auto-landing devices besides retail stores, restaurants and other facilities to cater to travellers’ needs. It also boasts a VIP lounge and a car parking area that can accommodate 2,200 vehicles, including VIP and taxi parking lots.
