QATAR. Hamad International Airport, one of the world’s most eagerly awaited new aviation hubs, will be fully operational on 27 May when Qatar Airways moves its entire business from Doha International. As reported, the airport will deliver close to 25,000sq m of commercial space, through Qatar Duty Free and its partners.
Ten airlines are now operating fully from Hamad International. These are Biman Bangladesh Airlines, flydubai, Air Arabia, Iran Air, Air India Express, Yemenia, Pakistan International Airlines, Syrian Airlines, Pegasus Airlines and Nepal Airlines.
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The inaugural flight touches down at HIA, followed the traditional water cannon salute (below) |
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The new facility welcomed a celebratory Qatar Airways’ VIP flight this morning, for the airport’s soft opening.
The Qatar Airways A320 aircraft, which left Doha International Airport just before 11:00am, landed on Hamad International Airport’s Easterly runway shortly afterwards. Upon arrival, QR7450 was greeted by a traditional water salute and a welcome from gathering crowds at gate B3, on one of the airport’s new concourses.
Onboard the inaugural flight to Hamad International Airport were VIPs and other dignitaries, including Minister of Transportation, His Excellency Jassim Al Sulaiti, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker and Chairman of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, His Excellency Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al Noaimi.
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Minister of Transportation His Excellency Jassim Al Sulaiti (centre), Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker (right) and Chairman of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, His Excellency Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al Noaimi at the new arrivals area of HIA |
Also onboard were NDIA Project Director Bernardo Gogna, together with other members of the New Doha International Airport Steering Committee, Nassr Al Ansari, Mohammad Al Meer, Abdulla Al Muraikhi, Abdulla Al Asiri, Eissa Al Rumaihi, Ali Al Abdulla, Saad Al Otaibi and Dr. Jaffar Abdulrahim. Joining them were Manager of Airport Security Eissa Arrar Al Romaihi, Manager of Airport Immigration Colonel Mohamed Al Mazroui and Aeronautical College Manager Ali Al Malki.
Akbar Al Baker said: “It is a historic moment, not only in the history of our airline, but for the State of Qatar, to see this Qatar Airways VIP flight touch down at the newly opened Hamad International Airport.
“Today’s highly anticipated opening of the new airport signifies to the world that Doha is now ready to open its doors for passengers to experience an airport that transforms the travel experience, and it is with much excitement that we await the move of all Qatar Airways flights to this new facility on 27 May.”
Designed to accommodate 30 million passengers annually, rising to 50 million upon full completion, the airport covers an area of 29sq km and is 60% built on land reclaimed from the Gulf.
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His Excellency Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al Noaimi speaks at the opening of Hamad International Airport earlier |
Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 17 years of operation, and today is flying 134 aircraft to 138 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.
Over the next few months, the network will grow further. New destinations include Al Hofuf, Saudi Arabia (May 15), Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Turkey (May 22, 2014), Edinburgh, Scotland (May 28, 2014), Miami, USA (June 10, 2014), Haneda, Japan (June 18, 2014), Dallas/Fort Worth, USA (July 1, 2014) and Djibouti (July 27, 2014).
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Minister of Transportation His Excellency Jassim Al Sulaiti, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker and Chairman of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, His Excellency Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al Noaimi, with the New Doha International Airport Steering Committee |
