Oman outlines plans for major airport city
Muscat, Oman: According to a news report in Oman Daily Observer dated March 26, the government has unveiled plans for the development of a major Airport City at Seeb, anchored by Muscat International Airport, with an estimated USD 5 billion expansion and modernisation project already under way.
Citing a top official of Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC), the news report said that the project aims to transform the airport from a transit point to a destination.
The news report, quoted Aimen Ahmed al Hosni, CEO of OAMC, while addressing delegates on the concluding day of the recently held Oman Economic Conference, as saying, “Our dream over the next five years is to build an entire city around Muscat airport, so people can come, live and work in this city.”
Al Hosni, is reported to have said that the initiative is a key part of the company’s five-year strategic growth plan (2016-2020), that aims to transform the company from its current status as a local player into a global airport operator.
OAMC’s long-term strategy reportedly is to operate a total of at least 10 local and international airports by 2020, as also positioning Muscat International Airport for strong investment growth over the coming years, which includes revamping the existing terminal for use by low-cost carriers, among other users. Al Hosni, said the report, outlining plans for the new terminal, informed that it would be designated Terminal-1, while the existing one will be designated Terminal-2.
The news report highlighted that three zones have been identified for real estate and retail development around the airport – areas facing Al Mouj Muscat, area along 18th November Street and the area around the existing terminal.