The existing airport which was designed back in 1973 has now reached its maximum capacity and the design of the new airport aims to meet the nation's passenger growth numbers.

The airport is being designed with The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Service Level A standards in order to accommodate all passengers with the best overall experience when travelling in and out of Oman.

New Air Traffic Control Tower, gates and runways
Some of the new facilities and features of the new airport are: a state of the art Passenger Terminal Building, 28 contact gates, two runways, a 97 meter high Air Traffic Control Tower, more than 7,000 parking spaces, dual 3 lanes access road and impressive landscaping along the access and at the entrance to the airport and new Passenger Terminal Building.

The new Passenger Terminal Building is a beautiful design, allowing light to travel through large spaces. The design is based on 12 million annual passengers, with a net floor area of 340,000 square metres, giving passengers ample space.

These elements have all been carefully considered in order to provide passengers with the highest standards of comfort and to make their experience at Muscat International Airport remarkable.

Large open areas with glass and other smooth surfaces pose a  challenge to the acoustic comfort in the airport terminal. Building- and room- acoustics design was modelled to meet the challenge. 

COWI specialists have ensured a reduction in noise and vibration during the construction and use of the airport.

The project includes some 70 buildings apart from the terminal, including a 97 metre high control tower and an Air Traffic Management Centre. Furthermore, the existing runway is to be upgraded and supplemented with a new runway. Both runways will be able to serve the world’s largest aircraft, the Airbus 380.

The project includes additional 30 remote stands. The project also includes Multi-level parking facilities and a highway to the airport.

The airport has not only an attractive architectural design but it has also a dynamic and functional structure, which has been designed to accommodate future expansion. 

Expansion stages have been phased out to accommodate 24 million passengers annually, followed by 36 million and at the final stage, Phase four, the capacity will reach 48 million passengers a year.