After winning international accolades in recent years for its state-of-the-art facilities and impeccable services, Hamad International Airport has announced embarking on an expansion plan that will enhance airport’s capacity to serve 60 million passengers a year. As Qatar Airways is fast becoming a leading airline of the world with continuous launch of new destinations across the globe, traffic on Hamad International Airport is also witnessing an enormous increase making the expansion plan a necessity.
Hamad International Airport (HIA) recently reported welcoming a record-high total of 10.7 million passengers in the third quarter of 2019, making it the busiest quarter and summer the airport has ever seen.
The record-breaking third quarter saw passenger numbers growing by 10.71 percent compared to the previous year. In July this year, HIA achieved second place in the prestigious 2019 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. First receiving this award in 2017, HIA again positioned itself as a leading global aviation hub, with redefined airport experiences for travellers from around the world.
Hamad International Airport’s second phase expansion plan includes construction of an indoor tropical garden, a water feature, new cargo terminal, new transfer area to shorten passengers’ connection time, landscaped retail and F&B space and other new features.
Definitely, these measures will not only significantly enhance passenger experience but will also strengthen HIA’s case for being number one airport in the world. The focal point of airport’s expansion project is the spectacular 10,000sqm indoor tropical garden in a central concourse as well as a 268sqm water feature.
The second phase of expansion of the airport consists of Phase A and B. Phase A of the current expansion will comprise of the central concourse linking concourses D and E. Construction will commence by early 2020 and will increase the airport’s capacity to more than 53 million passengers annually by 2022. Phase B, which will be completed after 2022, will extend concourses D and E to further enhance the airport’s capacity to more than 60 million passengers annually.
The expansion plan also includes 11,720sqm of landscaped retail and F&B space, which will enhance the multi-dimensional offerings of the five-star airport by integrating world-class art collection and refreshing environment of lush greenery with contemporary retail and dining concepts among other leisure attractions and facilities under one expansive terminal.
“The expansion of Hamad International Airport is a vital part of the future success of the Qatar Airways Group, and of course of the country’s preparations to host the 2022 World Cup and beyond. It is also a strong sign that Qatar’s economy is robust and acts as a further economic stimulus, providing excellent opportunities for local and international contractors,” said Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive, Qatar Airways, addressing press conference held on the sidelines of Cityscape Qatar.
