Hurricane “Mekunu” forces Oman to close Salalah Airport »

Continued – INA The Sultanate of Oman announced today, Thursday, the closure of Salalah Airport to air traffic, starting at 12 midnight, based on the decision of the Omani General Civil Aviation Authority. According to a statement issued by the Omani Civil Aviation Authority, the closure period will continue for 24 hours, which can be extended depending on weather developments that may result from tropical cyclone “Mekunu”, which the Dhofar Governorate is under the influence of. The Authority also stated in its statement that the decision to close the airport comes after following the developments of Cyclone Mekunu, which is currently centered in the Arabian Sea southeast of Dhofar Governorate. Based on the forecasts of the National Multi-Hazards Early Warning Center of the Authority, the cyclone is expected to advance towards the coast of Dhofar Governorate within the Omani airspace (southern air sector) and have a direct impact on Dhofar Governorate, starting from tomorrow, Friday, until the day after tomorrow, Saturday. The statement indicated that the Authority is dealing with international air navigation lines in the Omani airspace affected by the hurricane’s movement by diverting their routes to alternative routes according to developments in the situation, stressing that it is following the developments of the hurricane and is working hard to reopen Salalah Airport to air traffic and return the flow of air traffic to its normal routes. Once the risks to aviation safety are removed.