A Look Inside Hamad International Airport’s Impressive Growth Plan
Doha’s Hamad International Airport (HIA), known for being Qatar’s main air link to the world, represents a new era for the international aviation community with its architecturally stunning, supremely efficient operations and truly welcoming staff. Built on Qatar's vision to create a world-class airport fit to become a leader in the aviation industry, the existing terminal has admirably served the country since the official opening of HIA in 2014.
Ten years ago, just over 5 million people a year passed through HIA. Currently, the airport serves over 165 destinations and over 30 million passengers per annum – as projections show that the number will further increase with the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ tournament. Travellers entering HIA will witness an upgrade in space, as the world’s best airport will be unveiling its long-awaited expansion project this October 2022.
HIA’s expansion consists of Phase A and B. Phase A of the expansion comprises of the enhancement of HIA’s central concourse built in the North Plaza of the terminal. The central concourse will house world-renowned luxury retail brands, concept stores and restaurants, all set around a 10,000 sqm indoor tropical garden and 268 sqm water feature, under a dramatic grid shell roof structure that lets in natural sunlight. Construction of phase A began in early 2020 and aims to increase the airport’s capacity to more than 58 million passengers annually by October 2022. Phase B, which will begin in early 2023, will further enhance the airport’s capacity to more than 60 million passengers annually.
One of the many new experiences that are part of HIA’s airport expansion project includes the “Oryx Garden Hotel”, the second airport hotel on the premises, which opened in September of this year. Situated in the North Plaza, this is the latest venue where passengers can unwind during a layover.
Meanwhile, the Al Mourjan lounge, the Qatar Airways Business Class lounge at HIA, will open an additional 9,000 sqm of lounge at the airport terminal’s North Plaza, as part of the expansion project. The lounge, which is a benchmark for world-class lounges, will feature new spas, a fitness arena, restaurants, and business centres for passengers to unwind and enjoy.
Ranked as the “Best Airport in the World” for the second consecutive year by the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards, as well as the “Best Airport in the Middle East” title for the eighth year in a row, HIA continues to look for innovative solutions to further improve its sustainability goals. From refreshing greenery to a whole new world of exotic flora, the latest development at HIA will be the first airport in the MENA region to achieve a 4-star Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) rating, a performance-based system for rating green buildings and infrastructure.
As the aviation industry continues to grow, HIA continues to reach new heights as it plans for yet another successful year. With the aim of winning the world's best airport award for the third time in a row, and as the Official Airport Partner of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, HIA is fully geared to welcome the world to a destination extraordinaire.