Qatar's Hamad International Airport is set to reveal plans for its Airport City being developed as part of the Phase Two expansion to an international audience of real estate developers and investors at the upcoming Cityscape Qatar expo.

A major real estate industry event, the Cityscape Qatar will run from October 22 to 24 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Speaking ahead of the event, senior aviation officials said the Phase Two of HIA expansion is aimed at boosting capacity and introducing new five-star experiences for the passengers.

The contracts for the expansion work will be awarded by the end of this year and work is set to begin in the first quarter of 2020, they added.

At HIA’s exhibition booth, the visitors will get to see the 3D mock-up designs of the much-anticipated expansion and also experience the awe-inspiring look and feel of the expanded airport building.

Once complete, the airport’s capacity will hit more than 53 million passengers annually by 2022, an increase of almost 30 per cent from its current passenger footfall.

The airport will see the construction of an Airport City, which will provide significant future investment opportunities, including a free trade zone, an office and business complex, landscape area and hotels among others.

HIA will also see the setting up of a new cargo terminal which will increase the capacity handled to three million tonnes per year and will help accommodate the expected surge in freight traffic.

Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said: "The airport expansion is a vital part of the continued success of the Qatar Airways Group, especially in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup as we prepare to welcome millions of football fans to Qatar."

"Expansion is also a sign that Qatar’s economy is going from strength to strength, as well as a factor that will support future growth. I am confident that Hamad International Airport will continue to attract investment into the country as we launch its second development phase," he added.

COO Engineer Badr Mohammed Al Meer said: "The second phase of our expansion is a testament to HIA’s growth in its relatively short time of operations. With the third quarter of this year being the busiest on record for the airport, HIA continues to grow and remain a preferred hub for travellers."

"Cityscape Qatar is the perfect platform for us to reveal our exciting plans, and we look forward to showcase what the expansion project has to offer," he added.-TradeArabia News Service