Salalah Airport Air Cargo Terminal Kicks off 2024 with Unprecedented Progress

The air cargo terminal at Salalah Airport has made unprecedented progress in their cargo handling records during January 2024. Recorded data indicated a significant surge in numbers, which exceed by 310% those of the same period last year (and also higher with an increase of 185% compared to the same period last year). The figures recorded in January 2024 also surpassed those reached before the pandemic in 2019, which indicate the steady growth of freight traffic through Salalah Airport.

The data, which was analysed and presented Oman Airports’ Air Cargo Business Development team, also showed a steady increase in the volume of cargo handled since the end of the last quarter of 2023. This growth rate exceeded by 48% the growth rate recorded during the same period in 2022, and by more than 13% of the total handling of the same year.

Speaking about this achievement, Zakariya Yaqoob Al Harasi Salalah’s Airport VP said: “First, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the strategic partners working at Salalah Airport Air Cargo Terminal for their efforts and continuous support that have yielded these great results. The high figures and percentages achieved during January reflect the collective efforts undertaken by the Commercial Operation Unit in Oman Airports, and various parties, to enhance air freight traffic at Salalah Airport.”

These achievements also reflect the ongoing efforts by all parties to support local air cargo businesses in Dhofar, and to attract freight agents and dealers to make use of the terminal as a robust gateway for global cargo shipment. Furthermore, the achievements play a significant role in the marketing of the air cargo terminal as well as the promotion of Salalah Airport as a unique strategic location and vital gateway that possesses all the logistical capabilities to handle all types of shipments to and from the Sultanate of Oman.

Notably, the success of sea-and-air cargo linkage flights launched during September 2023 achieved their desired strategic objectives, and clearly indicated to the global freight markets the integral connection between the ports and airports in the Sultanate. They also highlighted the prime strategic location of the Sultanate – which intersects trade routes and international shipping lanes, making it a vital gateway for global commercial shipping. 

Salalah Airport, by offering its handling services in record time, has become an attractive option for international shipping companies, especially for those looking for new and better options and effective solutions for managing cargo business. This is supported by the strategic location of Salalah, which contributes towards the pivotal role played by Salalah Airport in this aspect compared to other airports in the region.