August 16, 2025
The Gulf aviation sector showed a striking contrast in the first half of 2025. While Dubai International Airport recorded more than 46 million passengers, setting a new milestone, all of Oman’s airports combined (Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, and Duqm) handled only 6.9 million passengers, marking a 2.2% decline compared to the same period in 2024.
Dubai: Record-Breaking Despite Challenges
- Daily average of 254,000 passengers.
- 2.3% growth despite temporary airspace closures in the region.
- January was the busiest month with 8.5 million passengers.
- Top inbound nationalities: Indian, Saudi, and British.
Dubai Airports expects total passenger numbers to reach 96 million by the end of 2025, edging closer to the 100 million annual milestone.
Oman: Slight Decline, Sharp Drop in Sohar
According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI):
- Muscat International: 6.2 million passengers (-2.4%).
- Salalah Airport: 657,000 passengers (+4.5%).
- Sohar Airport: dramatic fall with only 336 passengers (-98.9%).
- Duqm Airport: slight increase of 0.6% with 30,000 passengers.
In terms of nationality, Indians topped the list of travelers, followed by Omanis and Pakistanis.
Two Different Aviation Strategies
- Dubai continues its rise as a global transit hub, supported by the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport, planned to handle over 240 million passengers annually.
- Oman, meanwhile, focuses on a balanced and sustainable approach, though facing significant challenges, particularly with Sohar’s steep decline.
Conclusion
The first half of 2025 paints a clear contrast:
- Dubai is cementing its status as one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.
- Oman maintains stability but needs a strategic rethink for some of its airports.
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