The new facility will ease overcrowding at the airport, which is emerging as a growing Middle East stopover for passengers travelling from Europe to Asia. Oman is also growing as a destination in its own right and expanding Oman Air launched flights from Manchester airport last year.

The new building can handle 12 million passengers and includes 6,000 square metres of Duty Free shopping, 96 check-in counters, 8,000 parking spaces and a 90-room airside hotel. In addition, there are gates that can handle the Airbus A380.

Oman Air’s premium and economy passengers will have separate entrances to the building, while a third area will be reserved for other airlines. The First Class lounge offers a personal chef, limousine service to the aircraft and relaxation rooms. The Business Class lounge has both snacks and full dining options, a quiet area, shower rooms, a children’s play area, wireless internet access and a business centre.

Acting Oman Air chief executive Abdulaziz Al-Raisi said the expansion had “long been anticipated” and would allow the carrier to expand further.

“As a major stakeholder, our strategy is to support the anticipated growth in tourism and logistics and we are stepping up investment. In 2018 we have already announced the arrival of new aircraft, routes to North Africa, Russia and Europe, and an expansion of existing services.”

He added that new terminal would further facilitate the airline’s expansion, which will see Oman Air operate up to 62 aircraft to around 60 destinations by 2022.