Construction of the new Muscat International Airport will be completed in 2016, according to Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications (MoTC). However, the official launch date cannot be announced, as it takes between four to six months to start operating flights after the construction is finished. Also, in an update about Oman Railway, Al Futaisi said that the Ministry of Transport and Communications, in coordination with Oman Railway Company, has worked very hard and invited tenders to begin work on the project. “But we couldn’t start the project, as neighbouring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are not ready yet. We are going to discuss railway issues during the meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council transport ministers this year,” he added. (times of Oman)