Oman's Salalah airport shut down as cyclone approaches

By Mohamed Ibrahim

MUSCAT

Oman's General Authority for Civil Aviation has said that the Salalah International Airport would cease operations on Friday due to the approach of a powerful cyclone.

In a statement, the authority said the airport would close at midnight Thursday for a 24-hour period, which, it said, could be extended further depending on climatic developments.

Earlier Thursday, satellite imaging revealed a powerful cyclone -- dubbed “Cyclone Mekunu” -- about 400 kilometers from Salalah, which is located in southern Oman.

The airport will reopen once all risks to aviation have been eliminated, the authority said.

Salalah Airport is an international airport located on Oman’s coastal plain roughly five kilometers northeast of Salalah city.