Business & Finance Club - Muscat: Passenger traffic through Muscat International Airport increased 29 per cent during the first half of this year compared to the corresponding period in 2009, according to statistics issued by the Oman Airports Management Company.

Traffic comprised 2,722,987 passengers passing through the airport in the first half.

The statistics show that the number of arriving passengers (excluding transit passengers) increased 12 per cent to 925,573 compared to 826,349 during the first half of 2009.

The number of departing passengers (excluding transit passengers) also increased 16 per cent to 960,569.

The increase in the airport's arrivals and departures was due to the increase in economic activity and the steady growth of tourism, as well as the launch of operations by new airlines, such as flydubai and Kenya Airways.

This is in addition to a rise in the flights operated by Oman Air, which has added routes to Kuala Lumpur, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Dar-es-Salaam to its network.

The movement of aircraft increased 30 per cent to 33,182 flights compared to 25,457 flights in the same period of 2009.

Meanwhile, passenger traffic through Salalah Airport increased 9 per cent to 212,489 in the first half of 2010.