An airplane takes off from an airport runway during sunset with several aircraft parked nearby.

Salalah Airport

Salalah Airport

Written by: Nils Lindhorst Last updated at: May 21, 2025

The international airport of Salalah is located behind the airport in Muscat, the second largest in the country. The airport is about 10 kilometers from the city center and lies a little north of Salalah. From here, one can choose both domestic connections to Muscat and other regions of Oman as well as European destinations.

History of the airport

The airport of Salalah was opened in 1977. It was the time when Sultan Qaboos had just begun to implement the first significant improvements in infrastructure development. The very first reforms and construction projects benefited from the steady flow of oil. Initially, Salalah Airport was not much more than a small domestic airport from which flights to Muscat departed. In the following years, there were a few charter flights, but significant development was lacking. This only materialized over time. In 2000, only about 190,000 passengers were processed here in a year. In 2003, the first direct flights to and from Salalah were added to the schedule. Initially, there were only short-haul destinations like Dubai, but in 2004, regular flights to India commenced from Salalah. Since 2014, work has been underway for further expansion and modernization of the airport.

Developments at Salalah Airport

As early as 2013, before the works for the modernization and expansion of Salalah Airport had begun, the number of passengers processed here in a year had multiplied. Almost 800,000 people passed through in 2013. Today, the expansion is already well underway. The new terminal at the airport has already been put into operation and allows for faster and more comfortable processing of arriving and departing guests - including new duty-free shopping opportunities and several international car rental companies that have their offices and stores here. In addition, there have been a whole series of new interesting flight connections to and from Salalah in recent years.

Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home

Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.

We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.

From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.

You might also like this

View of the white marble façade of the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Oman with arched entrances and intricate architectural details.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque of Muscat

6 min read

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, the capital of Oman, stands as a remarkable symbol of the country's cultural identity and spiritual heritage. Nestled in the heart of Al-Ghubra in the Bawshar district, the mosque is a centerpiece of the vibrant Muscat Capital Area. Positioned along the main road between Muscat and Seeb, its central location makes it easily accessible to both locals and travelers from around the world....

A young woman in graduation attire standing outdoors among trees, smiling at the camera.

Universities

2 min read

Even at the time of his rise to power, Sultan Qaboos had a clear vision of how he wanted to make his country and its people future-proof. And indeed, in almost 50 years of governance, he succeeded in ushering in and advancing an era of development and modernization in Oman. Improving educational opportunities in the country is a key contributor to Oman's success. An important building block for this are the universities. The only state university in the country is Sultan Qaboos University, which was opened in 1986. Today, in addition to this, there are various private universities in the count...

A military fighter jet flying through the sky against a cloudy background.

Military in Oman

2 min read

The Commander-in-Chief of the Oman Armed Forces isHaitham ibn Tariq. The size of these armed forces is quite manageable. About 43,000 soldiers are active in the country, ensuring secure borders and – especially in recent years – due to the unrest in theneighboring countries of Oman, also ensuring that this unrest from Yemen and Saudi Arabia does not cross the border into Oman. Additionally, the military supports the police in maintaining order in the country. The army consists of four branches: - Land Forces - Artillery - Navy - Air Force There is no conscription in Oman; the army is a pu...