Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC) has appointed Swissport, a global leader in aviation cargo handling services, as its second ground handler at the Muscat International Airport, a report said.

“We are very much excited about this association and we highly positive of the great outcomes from this collaboration as Oman has ambitious plans for future and as the new terminals are in the final stages of completion,” Mark Skinner, senior vice-president, Swissport Middle East and Africa, was quoted as saying the Oman Observer report.

Swissport provides services on behalf of some 835 client companies and handles around 230 million passengers and 4.1 million flight movements per year, the report said, citing figures provided by the company.

There has been an 11.8-per cent increase in the number of international flights using the Muscat International Airport in the first three months of 2017 compared to last year contributing to the passenger arrivals which rose by 14 per cent and 17.2 per cent increase in departures, according to statistical figures.

Transit passengers showed an increase of 62.6 per cent compared to the same period last year, while domestic flights recorded an increase of 12.6 per cent in terms of landing and 12.7 per cent in taking off, the report said.