The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has officially invited licensed transport companies to submit proposals to operate app-based land transport services at Salalah Airport. This modern digital initiative aims to enhance passenger mobility, upgrade airport ground transportation, and significantly expand the rollout of digital transport solutions across the Sultanate. By introducing regulated, app-based frameworks, the ministry intends to provide arriving travelers with safe, highly reliable, and optimized travel options connecting the airport to diverse destinations throughout Dhofar.
Under this newly announced program, authorized transport operators can apply for specific commercial permits to provide smart passenger services that link travelers directly with registered taxis via mobile applications. The ministry noted that this regulatory shift is intentionally designed to encourage healthy market competition, foster localized tech innovation, and accelerate the widespread adoption of smart digital technologies within the national transport sector. By onboarding experienced, licensed platforms, the government expects to maximize vehicle utilization while establishing strict quality controls.
The integration of these digital platforms will enable travelers to seamlessly book rides, track their assigned vehicles in real time via GPS, view fixed upfront fares before beginning their journeys, and execute seamless cashless payments. These features are expected to dramatically improve general convenience, eliminate fare haggling at terminal exits, and maximize overall operational efficiency for the airport's land transport network. The rollout represents a major structural shift toward smart utility implementation in public infrastructure projects.
This timely initiative arrives as Salalah Airport actively manages a massive inflow of domestic and international visitors during the annual Khareef season, during which thousands travel to the Dhofar Governorate to experience the monsoon weather. The sudden, intensive surge in seasonal tourism necessitates highly responsive, digital-first transport networks capable of handling rapid passenger turnover. The digital expansion also complements existing airport mobility upgrades, building a more robust, versatile infrastructure to support the tourism ecosystem.
Licensed transport corporations interested in acquiring this competitive operating license must compile and submit their official proposals via email to the ministry no later than July 20, 2026. Ultimately, the ministry expects this strategic venture to significantly improve onward connectivity for arriving tourists while simultaneously unlocking premium investment opportunities for private sector participation in the nation's digital economy. By modernizing its logistical gateways, the country continues to secure its long-term economic diversification goals outlined under its national 2040 vision.
