Oman’s Muscat International Airport (MCT) has asked private jet operators to avoid scheduling additional flights, giving priority to government and commercial traffic as airspace closures across the Middle East continue to strand thousands of travellers.
The airport has seen record numbers of flights in recent days as travellers and expatriates from the UAE have travelled out of the country as tensions continue to simmer across the Middle East due to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
“Due to the current crisis management measures at Muscat International Airport, flight movements are restricted to approved seasonal scheduled services only,” airport authorities told charter operators, adding that the measure was necessary to manage congestion and keep capacity within acceptable limits.
The email, first reported by the Financial Times, asked all airlines and operators to cancel slots falling outside the approved seasonal schedule and to refrain from submitting non-approved flight requests until further notice.
The only exceptions permitted are embassy-sponsored repatriation flights, subject to prior approval through diplomatic channels and on condition that no commercial sale of seats takes place in connection with such operations, the airport said.
The restrictions come as US and Israeli strikes on Iran have triggered widespread flight cancellations across the Middle East, leaving airlines and governments scrambling to support stranded passengers.
With most regional airspace still closed over missile and drone concerns, travellers have turned to private jets and charter flights in an attempt to leave, with some fighter jets occasionally escorting commercial aircraft.