Smoking Areas at Oman Airports

English

Oman’s two main airports — Muscat International (MCT) and Salalah International (SLL) — both let you smoke past security: Muscat keeps ventilated indoor smoking rooms airside, and Salalah’s airside smoking room sits inside the Majan Lounge opposite departure gate 1B, alongside the designated areas signposted on every level of its terminal. Muscat’s terminal, opened in 2018, is the primary international gateway, designed for Oman Air’s hub operations and accommodating substantial transit traffic. Salalah serves southern Oman and seasonal European charter flights. Both airports follow the Gulf regional pattern of indoor smoker accommodation.

Muscat International (MCT)

Oman’s primary international airport; the current terminal opened on 18 March 2018, replacing the older Seeb facility. Ventilated indoor smoking rooms sit in the Level 4 airside departures transit area, off the gate concourses of Piers A, B and C, and are free to use. The Primeclass Lounge (mezzanine, after passport control) and the Plaza Premium Lounge opposite gates 1–10 have their own smoking areas on a pay-in basis. Hub for Oman Air, plus connections through SalamAir and other regional carriers.

Salalah International (SLL)

Southern Oman’s main airport, in the 2015 terminal. The official airport site states that smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas, that they sit on all levels of the airport, and that they are clearly signposted inside the passenger terminal. Past security, the Majan Lounge opposite departure gate 1B lists a smoking room among its facilities and opens 24 hours daily; entry is a paid booking open to any passenger. Outdoor smoking is available outside the building before security and on the arrivals forecourt. Seasonal traffic peaks during Khareef (monsoon) tourism.

Tips for Smokers at Omani Airports

Both major Omani airports let you smoke past security — free enclosed rooms at Muscat, the Majan Lounge smoking room opposite departure gate 1B at Salalah
Muscat’s terminal, opened in 2018, is modern and well-equipped
Vapes and e-shisha cannot be traded or imported in Oman: Consumer Protection Authority Decision 756/2023 bans their circulation with fines up to OMR 1,000 on traders, Ministerial Decree 327/2015 bans imports, and customs treat a device as prohibited goods — travel without one
Oman’s decrees name electronic cigarettes, e-shisha and their accessories; they do not address heated-tobacco devices such as IQOS, and the airside smoking rooms are for cigarettes
Cigarettes mid-priced for region (~OMR 1-1.5/pack)

Oman Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

Airport	After security	Indoor room	Outdoor area
Muscat International Airport (MCT)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Salalah Airport (SLL)	Yes	Yes	Yes

Last updated: September 5, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Omani airports have indoor smoking rooms?

Yes — Muscat International Airport (MCT) maintains ventilated indoor smoking rooms in its terminal, opened in 2018. The terminal replaced the older Seeb facility and includes ventilated smoking rooms post-security. Salalah International (SLL), Oman’s second airport, keeps designated smoking areas on every level of its terminal, clearly signposted, and its Majan Lounge opposite departure gate 1B has a smoking room of its own. Oman follows the Gulf regional pattern of accommodating smokers with enclosed indoor rooms.

Where can I smoke at Muscat International (MCT)?

In the indoor smoking rooms in the Level 4 airside departures transit area, off the gate concourses of Piers A, B and C. The 2018 terminal was designed for Oman Air’s hub operations and accommodates substantial transit traffic to Europe, Asia, and India. Smoking rooms are free to use.

Are there smoking rooms at Salalah Airport (SLL)?

Yes — Majan Lounge at Salalah International, opposite departure gate 1B, lists a smoking room among its facilities and opens 24 hours daily, with paid entry any passenger can book. The airport’s official listing places designated smoking areas on all levels of the terminal as well, clearly signposted inside the passenger building. Salalah handles regional traffic plus seasonal European charter flights for Khareef (monsoon season) tourism.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Omani airports?

The smoking rooms at Omani airports are for cigarettes. Oman bans the circulation of e-cigarettes, e-shisha and their accessories nationwide under Consumer Protection Authority Decision 756/2023, published on 31 December 2023, and Ministerial Decree 327/2015 bans importing them, so a device is prohibited goods at the border and customs seize the ones they find. The OMR 1,000 fine in Decision 756/2023 falls on trading; Omani law records no offence for personal use. Travel to Oman without vaping gear and use the airside rooms for cigarettes.

Can I smoke during an Omani airport layover?

Yes — Muscat’s indoor smoking rooms are post-security, accessible to transit passengers. The airport handles Oman Air’s hub operations plus connecting traffic between Europe-Asia and India-Africa. Walking time gate-to-room typically 5-10 minutes. Salalah is smaller; its airside smoking room sits inside the Majan Lounge opposite departure gate 1B, open around the clock with paid entry any passenger can book.