New Qatar airport ‘fully operational’
Doha, May 29, 2014
The Hamad International Airport has opened its door to all airlines operating out of Qatar, following a soft opening last month for 10 budget carriers.
The transition to HIA and commencement of full operations has been carried out according to the time schedule set by the NDIA Steering Committee at the start of the year, said a senior executive.
Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al Noaimi, chair of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) and chairman of the NDIA Steering Committee, stated that Hamad International Airport is purpose-built for modern aviation needs, providing all that is necessary for the national carrier and other airlines.
The airport is capable of 320,000 movements per year, allowing Qatar Airways to continue its expansion plans for growth of passengers and cargo and adding destinations, he said.
He emphasised the importance of the airport as a significant facility able to support the increase in passenger and cargo traffic expected due to forthcoming large international events to be hosted by Qatar.
The Hamad International Airport and the upcoming Airport City cover an area of 29 sq km, with nearly 60 per cent of its built on land reclaimed from the Arabian Gulf, said the statement.
The project currently includes 100 building for various facilities. The terminal building is 600,000 sq m, comprising three concourses, 33 contact gates (six of which are for A380s) and is expected to increase to five concourses and 65 contact gates.
It will also include 16 lounges, 26 works of arts by regional and international artists, more than 100 shops, restaurants and cafes, a five-star transit hotel, a luxury health spa, squash courts, and a four-storey catering facility. The on-site public mosque can accommodate up to 500 persons, it added. - TradeArabia News Service
