✈️ Muscat evacuation peaks at 346 movements before Q2 cools sharply
Avi-Go data shows business jet takeoffs and landings at Muscat OOMS airport in 2026 followed a "strong early, weak late" pattern: during the March regional conflict, it became an evacuation hub, surging to a peak of 346 movements in a single month, then declining continuously, with only 74 movements in June, and 1,113 movements accumulated year-to-date. At the conflict's peak, private business jets once accounted for 31% of the airport's operations, and on March 9 the airport restricted additional flights to prioritize government and commercial capacity. Destinations were highly concentrated in Gulf and Turkish hubs, with Dubai at 73 and Istanbul at 50, the two together accounting for about 53.5% of the Top 10. On the operator side, VistaJet accounted for more than half of the total identified operators (208 movements) with 116 movements.
Impact: After the evacuation windfall faded, OOMS capacity cooled markedly, with only 74 movements in June, and operators and brokers relying on this hub face declining demand; VistaJet's high concentration within identified capacity also means that once this operator adjusts its deployment, the airport's business jet activity will face further pressure.
Recommendation: In Q3 2026, capacity should be allocated based on actual arrivals and departures rather than the March peak, to avoid misjudging the peak season; brokers can reassess charter quotes and repositioning costs on the Gulf–Turkey sectors before the end of August, closely monitoring real-time demand changes at the two major destinations, Dubai and Istanbul.