Morocco’s airports handled 22,282,997 passengers during the first seven months of 2026, representing an 8.77% increase from the same period a year earlier, according to the National Airports Office (ONDA).

International traffic accounted for the vast majority of passengers, rising 8.82% to 19,894,489. Domestic traffic also grew, increasing 8.36% to 2,388,508 passengers, based on ONDA’s commercial air traffic statistics for July 2026.

Casablanca Mohammed V remained the country’s busiest airport, serving 6,953,695 passengers. Marrakech-Menara ranked second with 6,407,303, followed by Agadir-Al Massira with 2,179,857, Tangier Ibn Battouta with 1,711,764, and Rabat-Salé with 1,446,355.

European markets continued to generate the largest share of international traffic. A total of 16,541,007 passengers travelled between Morocco and Europe during the period, an increase of 9.29% year-on-year.

Several other markets recorded faster percentage growth. South American traffic jumped 34.21% to 62,880 passengers, while North American traffic increased 14.54% to 581,297. African traffic rose 13.74% to 1,175,674, and Maghreb traffic climbed 10.06% to 295,188.

Traffic involving the Middle and Far East was the only major regional segment to decline, falling 4.12% to 1,238,443 passengers.

Aircraft movements across Morocco’s airports reached 164,164 by the end of July, up 9.82% compared with the previous year. Mohammed V recorded 55,223 movements, followed by Marrakech-Menara with 42,028 and Agadir-Al Massira with 15,009.

Air freight also posted solid growth, reaching 66,980.55 tonnes, an increase of 12.61% over the seven-month period. In July alone, Moroccan airports handled 3,450,846 passengers.

The increase in traffic comes as Morocco steps up investment in its airport network ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Under its “Airports 2030” strategy, Morocco plans to increase nationwide airport capacity from approximately 34 million to 80 million passengers annually by 2030. A government agreement with ONDA covering 2025-2030 provides for MAD 38 billion ($3.8 billion) in investment across the airport network.

Casablanca Mohammed V is central to the expansion programme. Construction of a new hub terminal began in July 2025. The MAD 15 billion ($1.5 billion) facility is expected to add capacity for 20 million passengers annually, taking the airport’s overall capacity to 35 million passengers by 2029. The wider Casablanca development also includes a new runway.

At Marrakech-Menara, annual capacity is planned to double from eight million to 16 million passengers. Agadir-Al Massira is also being expanded, with capacity targeted at seven million passengers, compared with approximately three million currently.

Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh has linked the airport expansion programme to Morocco’s World Cup preparations and the continued growth of air transport.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed the strategy, highlighting its potential to strengthen Morocco’s role as a regional aviation hub.

Source: Morocco world news

Oman’s airports handled a total of 7,689,967 passengers, including arrivals, departures and transit travellers, during the first seven months of 2026, according to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The figure was 8.1% lower than the 8,366,273 passengers recorded during the same period in 2025.

International flights arriving at and departing from Muscat, Salalah and Sohar airports totalled 45,904 by the end of July, down 9.5% from 50,747 flights a year earlier.

Muscat International Airport

Muscat International Airport handled 49,315 international and domestic flights through July 2026, representing a 7.3% decline from 53,170 flights during the corresponding period of 2025.

Passenger traffic fell 8% to 6,855,942, compared with 7,453,204 passengers a year earlier.

International flight movements decreased 8.4% to 43,970 from 47,986, while international passenger traffic declined 9% to 6,164,584.

Domestic operations, however, recorded growth. Domestic flights increased 3.1% to 5,345 from 5,184, while domestic passenger traffic rose 2% to 691,358 from 677,837.

During July 2026, Omani nationals accounted for the largest share of incoming and outgoing passenger traffic at Muscat International Airport, with 204,591 travellers, including 95,111 arrivals and 109,480 departures.

Indian nationals ranked second with 169,751 passengers, comprising 99,958 arrivals and 69,793 departures. Bangladeshi nationals followed with 46,665 passengers, including 23,171 arrivals and 23,494 departures.

Salalah Airport

Salalah Airport recorded 5,569 international and domestic flights through July, down 5.3% from 5,881 flights during the same period last year.

Passenger traffic declined 8.4% to 797,620 from 870,616.

International flight movements dropped 30.8% to 1,864 from 2,693, while international passenger numbers fell 32.9% to 246,257 from 367,168.

Domestic operations moved in the opposite direction. Domestic flights increased 16.2% to 3,705, while domestic passenger traffic grew 9.5% to 551,363 from 503,448.

Sohar and Duqm Airports

Sohar Airport handled 122 international and domestic flights through July, down 6.2% from 130 flights in the same period of 2025.

Passenger traffic decreased 24.6% to 5,150 from 6,831. International flights rose 2.9% to 70 from 68, although international passenger traffic dropped 33.2% to 199.

Domestic flights declined 16.1% to 52, with domestic passenger traffic falling 24.2% to 4,951.

At Duqm Airport, domestic flight movements decreased 9.4% to 326 from 360. Passenger traffic also declined 12.3% to 31,255 from 35,622 during the corresponding period of 2025.

Source: QCAA

Malaysia is aiming to strengthen its position as a resilient and competitive aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region by investing in modern infrastructure, efficient airspace, regulatory capacity, skilled workers and policies designed to attract investment while protecting national and public interests.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the country’s aviation ambitions would require more than expanded capacity, calling for an ecosystem that is well governed, commercially attractive, operationally reliable and trusted by the public.

“Growth must be pursued responsibly,” Loke told local and international delegates attending the 61st Directors General of Civil Aviation Conference Asia and Pacific Region (DGCA/61). He said safety and security would remain absolute priorities, while sustainability and efficiency must be incorporated into long-term planning.

Malaysia is continuing to modernise its air navigation system, including through direct route operations across the Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu flight information regions. According to Loke, more efficient airspace management can shorten flight distances, reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and improve overall operational efficiency.

The minister described aviation as a strategic pillar of national development for an open and trading country such as Malaysia.

He said Malaysian airports handled 9.3 million passengers in July last year, taking total passenger traffic during the first seven months of the year to 61.2 million. July’s passenger volume represented 96.8% of the level recorded in the same month of 2019.

Loke said the recovery in passenger demand provided confidence in the sector but also highlighted the need for Malaysia to prepare for sustained long-term growth.

On aviation’s environmental impact, he said the Malaysia Aviation Decarbonisation Blueprint provides a pathway towards net-zero carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050, in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) long-term aspirational goal.

The transition to lower-carbon aviation, Loke said, could also create opportunities for investment, domestic expertise and new industries, including sustainable aviation fuel and cleaner aviation technologies.

He also highlighted the potential impact of artificial intelligence, unmanned aircraft and advanced air mobility on logistics, public services and connectivity. Governments and regulators, he said, must establish clear frameworks that allow such technologies to develop while ensuring innovation remains safe and serves the public interest.

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) Chief Executive Officer Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud said Malaysia was working with other member states to strengthen cooperation in the use of aviation safety data.

He stressed that regional cooperation would require both technological capability and institutional trust, while urging authorities to prepare for the emerging “Low Altitude Economy”.

Unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility could offer significant opportunities, he said, but would also create regulatory challenges involving airspace, certification, traffic management, infrastructure and accountability.

Norazman said these issues should be addressed before the technologies reach large-scale deployment. Regulatory sandboxes and controlled testing environments could allow authorities to assess new technologies safely, collect evidence and develop proportionate regulations without disrupting established aviation operations.

He also called for sustainability to remain central to aviation growth and technological development, arguing that future systems must become both more efficient and environmentally sustainable as demand increases.

Hosted by CAAM, DGCA/61 has attracted more than 500 participants from 35 countries, including civil aviation directors general, senior government officials, regulators, international organisations and aviation industry leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region.

The five-day conference is being held under the theme “Smart Skies: Emerging Technologies for Safe, Secure, Sustainable and Efficient Aviation”.

Delegates are discussing major issues shaping the future of civil aviation, including safety, air navigation, aviation security, facilitation, environmental sustainability, economic development, capacity building and regional cooperation.

The agenda also covers the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, digitalisation and innovation, with discussions focused on strengthening regulatory capabilities, improving operational resilience and supporting sustainable air transport growth across the Asia-Pacific region.

Source: QCAA

Copenhagen Airport recorded its busiest summer on record, handling 9.9 million passengers between June and August, a 3% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

August alone saw 3.3 million travellers pass through the Danish airport.

Southern European destinations remained among the most popular choices. Spain led the summer market with 789,000 passengers, up 3%, while Italy recorded 714,000 passengers, representing a 10% increase. France, Greece and Türkiye ranked next, with the five leading Mediterranean markets collectively accounting for 2.9 million passengers.

Long-haul traffic also posted solid growth, rising 5% to 1.5 million passengers. Asian destinations were a major contributor, supported by the launch of direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Seoul, along with increased frequencies to Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.

Around eight in 10 passengers travelled within Europe during the summer season. Copenhagen Airport operated 37 long-haul routes, connecting travellers with destinations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and North America.

Airport management expects demand for Asian routes to remain strong through the winter season.

Source: QCAA

Dammam Airports Company has secured six international accreditations from Airports Council International (ACI), marking a major achievement across accessibility, health and safety, and customer experience.

The recognitions were presented during the 2026 ACI World Airport Experience Summit in Istanbul, highlighting the operator’s efforts to align its airport network with international aviation standards.

Under ACI’s accessibility benchmarks, King Fahd International Airport, Al-Ahsa International Airport and Al Qaisumah International Airport each received Level 1 Accessibility Accreditation. The awards reflect the company’s focus on providing inclusive infrastructure and services for passengers with different accessibility needs.

King Fahd International Airport also received accreditation for health and safety compliance, confirming its operational preparedness and adherence to international safety and protection standards.

In customer experience, Al-Ahsa International Airport and Al Qaisumah International Airport were each awarded Level 1 Customer Experience Accreditation. The recognitions reflect ongoing efforts to improve passenger touchpoints and enhance the overall travel experience.

Dammam Airports Company said the achievements reinforce its strategic alignment with global aviation best practices while supporting improvements in operational efficiency, safety and regional connectivity across Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region.

Source: SPA

Flight operations at Indonesia’s main international gateway outside Jakarta have been suspended after volcanic ash from the erupting Mount Anak Krakatau reached areas around the capital.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport announced on Sunday morning that operations would remain halted until 1:30pm local time (06:30 GMT), citing increased eruptive activity at the volcano, located more than 150km (93 miles) away.

Mount Anak Krakatau began erupting late Friday, sending lava fountains into the air and producing powerful sounds that, according to Indonesia’s meteorological agency BMKG, were audible as far as 700km (435 miles) away. The country’s volcanology agency reported two additional eruptions on Sunday.

BMKG said volcanic ash had been detected at altitudes of up to 6,000 metres (20,000 feet) on the Java side of the volcano. On the Sumatra side and in parts of Banten province on Java, the agency reported an ash plume reaching as high as 15,000 metres (50,000 feet).

An earlier suspension of airport operations was scheduled to end at 5:30am (22:30 GMT Saturday). Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation said the initial disruption affected 33 flights, including 16 international cancellations and seven delays.

Lukman F Laisa, Director General of Civil Aviation, said the suspension was extended after a “paper test” conducted between 12:35am and 1:05am local time (17:35 GMT and 18:05 GMT Saturday) confirmed volcanic ash at the airport.

“Safety remains the top priority in every operational decision,” Lukman said, noting that flight schedules could be adjusted by airlines. He added that authorities would continue coordinating with airlines, air navigation providers and BMKG while monitoring the volcanic activity.

Singapore Airlines was among the carriers affected. The airline cancelled two Jakarta flights on Saturday and delayed two additional services into Sunday.

Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency said Saturday that the eruption did not pose an immediate tsunami threat.

Anak Krakatau rose from the sea during the 1920s within the caldera created by the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, one of the deadliest volcanic disasters in recorded history.

The volcano has remained intermittently active over subsequent decades. In 2018, an eruption caused part of its crater to collapse, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 400 people along the coastlines of Java and Sumatra.

Volcanic ash presents a major risk to aircraft because it can damage jet engines and severely restrict visibility.

Source: Aljazeera