Hamad International Airport (HIA) has added yet another feather on the cap. Qatar’s aviation hub has been ranked the “Third Best Airport in the World”, among 550 airports worldwide, by the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2020. Rising from fourth position in 2019 to third in 2020, HIA has been steadily rising in the World’s Best Airports rankings since the start of its operations in 2014. In addition, HIA has been voted the Best Airport in the Middle East for the sixth year in a row and Best Staff Service in the Middle East for the fifth year in a row.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport, said: “The world faces unprecedented challenges due to the spread of coronavirus, and we are sure that the crisis will be overcome only through comprehensive cooperation between all concerned parties and civil society in preserving the safety and security of all. Our award for “Best Staff Service in the Middle East” and “Best Airport in the Middle East” will reinforce our resolve to continue our operations in these difficult times with our utmost care to implement all measures to ensure the health and safety of our passengers and employees first.”
HIA recently announced a 4.7 percent increase in cargo operations in the first quarter of this year, primarily attributed to Qatar Airways and HIA’s continued efforts to provide freighter services in response to the increased demand for essential goods and medical supplies, locally and internationally. This includes the transportation of urgent medical relief aid and humanitarian assistance, which is pivotal to the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
In coordination with the Qatar Airways Group and international government entities, HIA continues to operate to ensure passengers reach home safely. HIA has also been fulfilling its national duty towards the people of Qatar by bringing home Qatari citizens from around the world.
To ensure the wellbeing of passengers, HIA, in cooperation with Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), MATAR Management and Qatar Airways, is also conducting entry screening of all arriving passengers and crew terminating at Doha on a 24/7 basis. HIA is also fully equipped with epidemiological surveillance cameras across the terminal and an established medical clinic at the airport, operated by MoPH on a 24/7 basis.
The SKYTRAX rankings are also a result of its operational excellence. During 2019, the airport served a record 38,786,422 passengers. HIA has always been at the forefront in setting the high standards for modern day airport experience.
