New Muscat Int'l Airport 'to open by end of 2016'

'Muscat International Airport's new terminal will open by the end of 2016'.

Oman's transport minister has reportedly confirmed that the opening of the new terminal at Muscat International Airport will be delayed until the end of 2016.

According to the Times of Oman, Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, reportedly revealed the new airport was 86% complete in 2015.

However, he admitted under the original schedule it would have been 90% complete by then. 

"This is because of many things, including dealys by the contractor," he was quoted as saying.

Last year, Salem Al Yafaey, general manager of Salalah Airport, which is part of Oman Airports Management Company, reportedly said the planned new passenger terminal at Oman's main airport has been delayed from early 2014 to the end of 2016.

Technical difficulties were cited as the reason for the delays.

The revised official opening date cannot yet be confirmed, as it takes between four and six months to start operating flights once construction is complete, the Times of Oman reported.