Architecture, Art & Beyond

The Salalah Airport project, situated in Salalah, Oman, serves as a gateway to the Dhofar Province, renowned for its natural beauty and unique climate. Salalah is referred to as the “Oasis of the Gulf” due to its distinctive monsoon season called Khareef, occurring from July to September. During this period, while the rest of the Arabian Peninsula remains arid and brown, Salalah transforms into a lush green environment, attracting migratory birds and tourists.

The greenfield airport project was meticulously planned on the opposite side of the existing terminal building, optimizing the use of an existing runway while adding a new 4km-long runway and taxiways. The comprehensive masterplan included 23 ancillary buildings, alongside the Passenger Terminal Building (65,000 sqm, G+3). All these structures were interconnected by roadways, landscape, wadis and thoughtfully segregated to adhere to airside and landside security. Ancillary buildings were of different sizes and contributed to a cumulative area of approximately 32,000 sqm.

The project’s concept was developed by COWI & Larsen JV and was executed by Larsen & Toubro and Galfar JV as the design and build main contractor. The project cost was completed in 2015. It played a pivotal role in enhancing the infrastructure and connectivity of the Dhofar Province, making it more accessible to travelers and contributing to the region’s development and tourism industry.

Soumya and I were integral part of this project for the good part of 2011 to 2015 in the capacity of Principal Architects, where we able to contribute and help build this airport in the beautiful city of Salalah.

In the photograph taken in front of the cast glass water feature at the arrivals of Salalah Airport, I can’t help but notice that Soumya and I look quite tired. We were both deeply involved in this project from 2011 to 2015, serving as Principal Architects. Building an airport of this size and significance was a tremendous undertaking that required an enormous amount of effort.

To complete a fast-track project like this, we spent countless days and nights brainstorming, designing, developing, drawing, reviewing, and negotiating. All the while, construction was in full swing, operating non-stop for nearly five years. It was an intense and challenging period.

I remember the sense of satisfaction and achievement I felt when I finally departed from Oman in September 2015, passing through the new Salalah Airport. The culmination of all our hard work was deeply gratifying, and it marked a significant milestone in my career as an architect.