Qatar Airways Shifts Operations To Hamad International Airport

Qatar Airways has moved operations to the new Hamad International Airport in Doha, beginning from 9:00 am on Tuesday, May 27. All the airline’s flights will now arrive and depart from the new airport, it confirmed in a statement.

“The move of our entire operations to HIA is a momentous occasion for Qatar Airways, and one that we have been preparing for extensively for a long time,” said Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker.

“With the capacity to handle 8,700 customers per hour, HIA will provide a seamless, hassle-free experience to our passengers, from check-in to passport control and boarding.”

(See: Pictures: Qatar Airways Begins Operations From New Doha Airport)

The HIA Passenger Terminal Complex comprises 138 check-in counters across five islands, including 108 counters for Qatar Airways economy passengers and all other airlines, 16 counters for Qatar Airways business class travellers and 14 luxury check-in counters for Qatar Airways first class passengers.

As with all airports, passengers are advised to arrive three hours before their flight, with check-in closing one hour before departure for economy class, and 45 minutes before departure for first and business class.

Qatar Airways also confirmed that e-Gates are already operational in both the departures and arrivals areas.

HIA includes over 70 retail outlets offering designer labels, fashion and electronics and 30 cafes and restaurants – all spread across 40,000 square metres.

Located on the east coast of the peninsula, the airport is 16km from the centre of Doha and 4km from Doha International Airport. Arrival time to the airport is estimated at around 25 minutes, depending on the traffic, said Qatar Airways.

The much-delayed airport will have the capacity to accommodate an annual passenger count of 30 million upon opening, increasing to 50 million passengers a year once operating at full capacity. The project has been plagued by construction challenges since 2009, and its launch was delayed several times before it finally opened on April 30, 2014.