Travel takes off again

Travel takes off again

As international travel gains momentum, increased demand prompts higher airfares

Muscat – Airlines and airports in Oman are currently witnessing their busiest months since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sultanate and other countries lifted travel restrictions in the first quarter of this year.

The number of international flights that landed at and took off from Muscat International Airport surged more than 72 per cent to 6,080 during the first two months of 2022 from 3,530 in the same period of 2021, data released by National Centre for Statistics and Information showed.

After over 20 months in which the travel and tourism industry was crippled by the pandemic, Oman’s airports and operating airlines are now attracting more passengers than at any time since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020.

The total number of passengers at Muscat airport increased 67.6 per cent in the first two months of 2022 to over 789,000 compared to 471,000 recorded in the corresponding period last year when most of the world was grappling with the second wave of COVID-19.

More than 429,000 people arrived in Oman through Muscat airport in January–February this year, marking the strongest months for travel in the sultanate since March 2020.

Over 357,000 international