MUSCAT -- Coinciding with the 44th anniversary of the Sultanate's blessed Renaissance, the Duqm airport will be operational from today, according to the Special Economic Zone Authority in Duqm (Sezad).
The celebration is to be held in collaboration and cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), the Public Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology and Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC).
The celebration of the early operation of Al Duqm airport comes after completing the works of the runway, internal roads, safety and security tests on the runway and trial landing.
Yahya bin Said al Jabri, Chairman of Sezad, expressed his joy for the early operation, which coincides with the blessed Renaissance Day celebrations and hailed the achievements made by the Sultanate from July 23, 1970 until date.
In a press statement, he said the simple celebration that will be held at Sezad today, will be under the auspices of Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, in the presence of a number of officials at Sezad, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology, Oman Air, Oman Airport Management Company and companies operating in the Zone as well as shaikhs and dignitaries of the Governorate of Al Wusta.
Al Jabri pointed out that the early operation of Al Duqm Airport will facilitate access to Sezad by investors, employees in the Zone and citizens. It will save the time and effort that was consumed during travel between Muscat and Al Duqm.
He pointed out that Sezad and Oman Air consider operating a regular route between Muscat and Al Duqm.
He also said that Sezad is looking forward to have daily and regular flights between Muscat and Al Duqm and to make Al Duqm Airport open for the charter and shipping flights. "The number of flights will be increased to 4 in the week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday) instead of 3 flights between Muscat and Jaaloni," he added.
Al Duqm Airport is an important pillar in rehabilitating Al Duqm to be a regional transportation and logistics hub, he said.
Last June Sezad, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, has awarded the contract for the third package, which includes the passenger terminal, the 37-metre high air control tower, the control building, the air cargo building and the firefighting building.
The award of the third package comes after the completion of the first two packages, which include the airport runway and the internal roads.
The passenger terminal stretches over 5,700 square metres and the passenger terminal capacity is 500,000 passengers per annum at the first stage. The air cargo building, which stretches over 8,000 square metres, will enable the airport to hand about 20,000 tonnes of cargo items each year. The third package is expected to be completed during 2016.
© Oman Daily Observer 2014
