QATAR. Doha International Airport is preparing to open its new Arrivals terminal – a stand-alone facility separate from the current Main terminal – as the airport expands to cater for the increasing number of visitors to the state of Qatar.
Designed to significantly enhance the experience for arriving passengers, the new facility is situated on C-Ring Road between VIP roundabout and Ras Aboud flyover. This was the site of the temporary terminal erected for the Asian Games in Doha in 2006.
The new terminal is part of a multi-million dollar redevelopment plan that will enable the airport to continue operating efficiently up to the opening of the New Doha International Airport, scheduled for 2012.
Features of the new Doha Arrivals terminal include an increased number of baggage belts, more immigration counters, duty free shopping, bus and taxi stands and an enlarged meet-and-greet waiting area.
Shuttle buses will provide passengers who have parked their vehicles at the Main Terminal – which will be renamed the Departure and Transfer terminal – with transport from the Doha Arrivals terminal on their return.
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The new Arrivals terminal is part of a multi-million dollar redevelopment ahead of the opening of the new airport in 2012 |
Soon after the Doha Arrivals terminal becomes operational, work will begin on the reconfiguration of the existing arrivals terminal into an expanded Departure and Transfer terminal. The additional work will take several months to complete.
Doha International Airport is managed and operated by Qatar Airways, the national airline of the state of Qatar.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the changes were aimed at enhancing the customer experience ahead of the opening of the New Doha International Airport.
“Over the next few days, Doha International Airport and Qatar Airways will be providing more information on the new facilities to ensure passengers are fully aware of the significant changes taking place,” said Al Baker.
“It was imperative for the continued development of Qatar that the existing airport infrastructure was expanded. The new Doha Arrivals terminal is the latest step in the infrastructure improvements to handle the influx of passengers through the airport.
“We are eagerly awaiting the opening of the New Doha International Airport in 2012, which will provide an even better facility for the people of Qatar and for international travellers flying on Qatar Airways and other airlines.”
Qatar’s only international airport has received several upgrades since November 2006, when Qatar Airways’ exclusive Premium Terminal for First and Business Class passengers opened. The expansion of the airport’s Eastern Apron soon followed, which included increased aircraft parking space, a dual carriageway perimeter road to the Main terminal and the creation of a new Satellite Transfer terminal.
In 2008, the main airport terminal was also upgraded, with extra boarding gates added to accommodate the increased number of flights departing from Doha. Last year, the Premium Terminal was extended to provide additional space for the growth of the number of First and Business Class passengers flying with Qatar Airways.
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