The civil aviation sector recorded growing passenger and flight traffic during Khareef Dhofar 2026, with the total number of arriving and departing passengers at Salalah Airport reaching 686,808 during the period from 1 June to 31 August, while the total number of arriving and departing flights reached 5,148 thousand flights.
The total number of arriving passengers stood at 355,045, while the number of arriving flights reached 2,561, marking a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2025. These figures reflect the pivotal role played by the civil aviation sector in supporting tourism activity, as one of the key enablers of visitor access and mobility, while strengthening the connectivity of tourism destinations in the Sultanate of Oman with local, regional and international markets.
As the efficiency and capacity of the air transport system to accommodate demand increase, this translates into easier access to tourism destinations, greater capacity to receive larger numbers of visitors, and enhanced support for tourism activity during the Khareef season and the significant increase in demand witnessed during its peak period.
The statistics show a clear increase in passenger numbers over the three-month period, reaching 92,735 passengers in June, rising to 236,088 passengers in July, and then reaching 357,985 passengers in August, the highest level recorded during the period.
Flight traffic also increased from 957 arriving and departing flights in June to 1,854 flights in July, reaching 2,337 flights in August, bringing the total number of flights during the three months to 5,148.
These indicators underscore the importance of integration between the aviation and tourism sectors, with Khareef Dhofar serving as a practical model of such integration. Tourism demand translates into actual passenger and flight movements, demonstrating the civil aviation sector’s capacity to respond to significant fluctuations in demand during the season.
They also highlight the importance of continuing to enhance the efficiency of the system and increase its capacity to keep pace with growth in passenger and flight numbers, thereby strengthening the contribution of air transport to tourism and economic activity.
Hamed bin Ahmed Al Barashdi, Official Spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Authority, said that the results recorded during Khareef Dhofar 2026 reflect the scale of growth in travel activity during the season and the need for integrated efforts across the various components of the civil aviation sector to ensure the efficient handling of the significant increase in passenger and flight numbers.
Al Barashdi commended the concerted efforts of civil aviation companies and supporting entities during Khareef Dhofar, noting the integration and coordination they demonstrated in supporting the smooth flow of traffic and ensuring efficient handling of the high levels of demand throughout the season.
In this regard, he commended the efforts of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Royal Oman Police, the Office of the Governor of Dhofar, as well as various relevant entities, and their role in coordinating efforts to ensure the success of the season.
He added that the Civil Aviation Authority, in line with its regulatory and supervisory role over the civil aviation sector, works to provide the regulatory environment necessary for the growth of air traffic, monitor safety requirements and the smooth flow of air traffic, and oversee air navigation and meteorological services, in addition to coordinating with various entities operating in the sector. These efforts support the efficiency of the air transport system and its capacity to keep pace with growing demand.
He  noted that the Authority places significant importance on enhancing the efficiency of the civil aviation sector and its ability to keep pace with the growth in travel activity, given that air transport is one of the key enablers of the tourism sector, while also supporting economic activity and connecting the various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman with regional and international destinations.
The data show an increase in travel activity during the season, with the number of passengers rising from 92,735 in June to 357,985 in August, meaning that passenger traffic in August was approximately 3.9 times the level recorded in June.
The total number of departing passengers during the three-month period reached 331,763, while the number of arriving passengers stood at 355,045.
Flight traffic recorded parallel growth in line with passenger numbers, with the number of arriving flights reaching 2,561 during the period, compared with 2,587 departing flights, bringing total flight traffic to 5,148.
August accounted for the largest share of traffic, with 2,337 flights, compared with 1,854 flights in July and 957 flights in June.
It is worth noting that, prior to the start of Khareef Dhofar 2026, the Civil Aviation Authority had announced the readiness of the civil aviation system to receive the season, as part of the coordination and integration among the various entities operating in the sector to accommodate the expected increase in travel activity.
Preparations included Oman Air operating 13 daily flights and SalamAir operating 10 daily flights during peak periods, in addition to increasing seat capacity and air connectivity options to Salalah, thereby supporting the aviation system’s capacity to accommodate growing demand during the season.
Air traffic during the same period also witnessed smooth operations and notable regularity in flight schedules, with continued coordination among the relevant entities to ensure smooth travel procedures and effectively manage the high volume of traffic during peak periods.