Muscat Duty Free extends amid new Seeb airport plans

Gavin Lipsith

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The Aer Rianta International operation has been boosted by plans to build a new Omani international airport

Muscat Duty Free has extended its contract with Oman's Seeb airport operator Oman Airport Management Co after the landlord decided to build a new international airport instead of expanding the existing facility. Under the original contract Muscat was due to operate at the existing terminal for three and a half years, then for a further six years at the extended building. The new contract grants the Aer Rianta International venture an extension for as long as it takes for the new terminal to be built.

The retailer has also been boosted by Abu Dhabi's recent decision to withdraw support for Gulf Air, Muscat general manager Steve O'Connor told RavenFox.com. Seeb will gain 64 weekly flights as a result of the carrier's move from Abu Dhabi International airport. "We don't know the exact make-up of the flights or what the passenger profile will be," said O'Connor. "But any increase in passengers is going to help our business."