Work on Oman's new $1.8-billion Muscat International Airport terminal is continuing on schedule and is expected to be operational by the end of the year, said a report.

Upon completion, a series of trials will be conducted to ensure that the systems for processing passengers and other aspects are tested before it opens to the public, said a report in Oman Tribune.

According to Dr Khalfan Said Al Shueili, Readiness General Manager at man Airports Management Company (OAMC), the trials would last for four to five months and could be a two-terminal operation with a partial opening of the new one.

Meanwhile, a study was underway to see if the existing terminal can be used for low cost carriers and the new terminal for full-service carriers.

Construction work and integration of IT systems at the new terminal were still on, while work to upgrade the old runway was yet to begin, he said on the sidelines of the First Oman Transport and Logistics Forum.

Al Shueli also noted that several international airports, International Air Transport Association, International Civil Aviation Organisations and Airports Council International were involved in training the staff for the operation of the new terminal.

In the terminal concourse, the duty free shop will be managed by Aer Rianta, food and beverage by BTA of Turkey, and Swissport International would do the ground handling.