Muscat airport’s new terminal on final approach

Muscat’s new passenger terminal is due to open on March 20, providing passengers with a superior travel experience.

Business Traveller Middle East was given an exclusive tour of the new facility, which is on a grander scale to the 45-year-old airport, which was designed to handle 3.5 million passengers a year and now handles twice that number. Capacity at the new terminal rises to 12 million a year.

Construction is scheduled to finish by March 7 – duty free and lounge fit-outs are in the final stages – ahead of the full switch in operations on the afternoon of March 20.

Saleem Amanulla, Oman Air’s vice president of airport operation, said: “The passenger journey will be better – we are very limited what we can offer today,” he said, adding that the Oman Air premium lounge will be six times larger with room for three bars.

“We are doing everything we can to mitigate risks, we have our SOPs conducted by Munich Airport which is consulting us on our move. I’m bringing teams from outstations, such as Heathrow, and experts on baggage systems who are used to procedures.”

From the multi-lane approach roads – the terminal can be accessed via three roads – and separate drop-off lanes, you’re struck by the sense of scale which contrasts sharply with the existing airport. Short and long-term car parks provide space for up to 800 cars. A Bechtel-led consortium has overseen the terminal’s design and construction.

Oman Air premium passengers turn right into a separate check-in area (A) with 12 desks and guests can avail of comfortable seating and soft drinks. First and business class guests can access self check-in kiosks, electronic gates and three security machines. Alongside Oman Air’s lounge, two other lounges are available for international passengers and stop-over passengers can rest their heads in a 90-room hotel.

Check-in areas B to G are laid out one after another (12 counters in C and D exclusively for Oman Air), eight palm trees serving as a dividing centrepiece. Beyond immigration, where each counter is separated by semi-circular wooden fixtures, passengers spin off into A, B or C piers which are designed on different themes (desert, mountain, sea). I walked most of the length of A in five minutes and it doesn’t appear to be as long as some Gulf airports.

The biggest single physical change is the contact stands and airbridges (carpeted) which means most passengers no longer need to catch buses to stands, although there are some remote facilities. This will not only be welcomed by passengers but carriers who should improve transfer flow – around 70 per cent of all passengers are transiting – and on-time performance. Two gates are A380 compliant.

With plentiful glass and marble, it has the look and feel of most international terminals, but mashrabiya designs – some are projected onto floors as you’re walking through – lend an authentic Omani touch.

The four-pronged, rising steel fixtures are prevalent, especially in the check-in area, and they support the wave-like exterior, which window seat passengers will experience best on arrival or departure.

The arrivals hall looked the most attractive aspect, from what I could see, with an oval light design centrepiece.

More details in Business Traveller Middle East‘s March edition.