- Title: OMAN: NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN USE.
- Date: 17th November 1973
- Summary: 1. AERIAL VIEW approaching new Seeb Airport (2 shots) 0.08 2. GV New terminal building 0.11 3. AERIAL VIEW approaching the old airfield at Mutrah over the mountains (2 shots) 0.22 4. LV Mutrah runway blocked off (mountains in B/G) 0.26 5. AERIAL VIEWS New airport, passing over aircraft on runways 0.45 6. LV Control tower 0.48 7. GV & SV Terminal building with Omani flag (2 shots) 0.54 8. LV Viewing balcony 0.58 9. LV Passenger lounge concourse 1.01 10. LV PAN Aircraft landing PAN TO another aircraft refuelling 1.10 11. Passengers off aircraft and across tarmac to lounge (2 shots) 1.19 12. CV Aircraft taking off 1.28 13. AERIAL VIEW Runways 1.31 Initials BB/2020 TM/MR/BB/2057 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 2nd December 1973 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SEEB & MUSCAT, OMAN
- Country: Oman
- Reuters ID: LVAB0UB3D0BRM6ZZ5X6GQ93M9SKV
- Story Text: Oman's new international airport at Seeb came into service recently, replacing the old and unsuitable airfield at Eait-al-Falaj, near the capital Muscat.
The new complex at Seeb, 20 miles (32 kms) from Muscat, will be officially opened next January at a completed cost of about GBP 6 million.
For pilots and passengers alike, landing at the old runway tended to be a hair-raising experience. Approached from the sea, it could only be reached by flying through a narrow gap in the surrounding mountains, with the wing tips almost touching the rocks on either side. Situated in a narrow valley, it was totally unsuitable for modern commercial jet aircraft, and even with smaller aircraft could not be used at night.
Rather than upgrade the Sait-al-Falaj airfield, the Oman government decided to build a completely new complex at Seeb. Work began lats in 1971 and a 10,000 feet (3,300 meters) runway was opened in September 1972. When the project is finished later this year, there will be two separate terminals -- one for international passengers, the other for domestic flights -- as well as a restaurant and other transit facilities, and a cargo terminal.
The Seeb Airport is capable of accepting the largest aircraft now in commercial use, including Jumbo jets. It's already handling up to forty flights a week, and nearly 10,00 passengers a month.
The Oman government is attempting to persuade international airlines to use Seeb as a transit stoop-over between Europe and the Far East.
SYNOPSIS: A new international airport at Seeb in Oman came into service recently, giving airlines another transit stop-over between Europe and the Far East.
The Seeb complex replaces the old airfield at Bait-al-Salaj. Situated in a narrow valley, it could only be reached by flying through a mountain gap and could not be used at night.
Rather than upgrade the Bait-al-Falaj field, the Oman government decided to build & completely new airport at Seeb, about twenty miles form the capital Muscat, It was designed by Dutch engineers and is being built by a Cyprus construction firm.
Work began latter in 1971 and a 10,000 foot runway was opened in September last year.
When the Seeb airport is completed later this year, there will be two separate terminals -- one for international passengers and one for domestic flights -- as well as a restaurant and other transit facilities, and a cargo terminal.
The new airport is capable of accepting the largest aircraft now in commercial use, including Jumbo jets. It's already handling forty flights a week, and nearly 10,000 passengers a month. The completed cost of the Seeb complex will be around GBP 6 million.
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