Hamad International Airport Welcomes Qatar to its Runways

Qatar Airways, operating out of Doha International Airport for the last 17 years is finally ready to move to its new abode at Hamad International Airport (HIA) on May 27, 2014. Grown from operating smattering regional flights to a mammoth list of destinations across the globe, Qatar is all set to lay its hands on world's newest state-of-the art hub.

Qatar’s five-star services will now get complemented by state-of-the-art facilities offered at HIA. A new standard of international travel will be offered to passengers at this airport enabling Qatar Airways flyers to attain peerless experience.

Located nearly 2.5miles away from Doha International Airport, HIA is mostly built on land reclaimed from the sea. In the beginning operational with only Concourses A, B and C the airport, will have a capacity to accommodate 30 million passengers yearly. And once Concourses D and E are functional and the airport is functioning completely, the capacity will increase by two-third and will accommodate 50 million passengers yearly.

Hamad International Airport features 138 check-in counters in total. Out of which 108 are will serve Economy passengers of Qatar Airways and other airlines. The airport also boasts of 14 seated check-in areas for Qatar’s First Class passengers and 16 dedicated counters for its Business Class passengers. In addition, the airport will operate 41 contact gates (which will eventually increase to 65 post completion). Out of these 41, six gates will dedicatedly serve the Airbus A380 aircraft.

Passengers will be able to enjoy a total of 600,000 square meters passenger terminal complex spread across 5 islands. Out of which 25,000 square meters is dedicated for retail space extending 104 retail outlets, 30 restaurants & cafes, lounges and parking area. Emiri (royal) Terminal complex for VIP flights, a 100-room transit hotel and an airport hotel are just few of the many additional features of this airport complex.

Akbar Al Baker CEO Qatar Airways said we have been preparing for this significant day for long. May 27 will be important day or both Qatar Airways and the state of Qatar, as we will commence with our operations from HIA. We are confident that HIA will set new highs for airport excellence and will offer unparalleled experience to our international travelers. HIA will also aid Qatar’s expansion plans, as in we continue to grow our fleet size and list of destinations in the coming years.

Due to open in 2009, Hamad International Airport faced huge problems and unending delays making its launch slip by five years. It eventually had a soft launch on April 30, 2014. Following which 10 airlines namely Air India Express, Air Arabia, flydubai, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Iran Air, Pegasus Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Yemenia and Syrian Airlines are conducting their operations from HIA. And now finally the day in approaching when Qatar Airways, its main sponsor airline will fly from its runways.