QATAR. Hamad International Airport (HIA), Qatar’s five-star gateway to the world, will reveal its spectacular plans for the second phase of the airport expansion at two key international events in October.
The first is Cityscape Qatar (22-24 October) to a global audience of real estate developers and investors; the second is The Trinity Forum (30-31 October), organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, ACI and ACI Asia-Pacific and jointly hosted by Qatar Airways, Qatar Duty Free and Hamad International Airport.
At HIA’s exhibition booth at Cityscape Qatar, attendees will first experience the “awe-inspiring” look and feel of the expanded airport building, which will set a new standard in the traveller experience globally, the airport company promised. “The incredible new plans will propel Hamad International Airport to become a destination in its own right once complete,” HIA said.
3D mock-up designs of the much-anticipated expansion will be on display and the unique features of the plans will be available to visitors over the course of both events. Once complete, the airport’s capacity will increase to accommodate over 53 million passengers annually by 2022, an increase of almost +30% from its current passenger footfall.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Akbar Al Baker said: “The expansion of Hamad International Airport is a vital part of the continued success of the Qatar Airways Group, especially in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup as we prepare to welcome millions of football fans to Qatar.
“Expansion is also a sign that Qatar’s economy is going from strength to strength, as well as a factor that will support future growth. I am confident that Hamad International Airport will continue to attract investment into the country as we launch its second development phase.”
Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer said: “The second phase of our expansion is a testament to HIA’s growth in its relatively short time of operations. With the third quarter of this year being the busiest on record for the airport, HIA continues to grow and remain a preferred hub for travellers.”
Airport City takes shape
An Airport City will also be constructed. This will provide significant investment opportunities, including a free trade zone, an office and business complex, landscape area and hotels. HIA will also see the construction of a new cargo terminal, which will increase the capacity handled to 3 million tonnes per year and will help accommodate the expected surge in freight traffic.
Expansion construction is set to commence in the first quarter of 2020, with all contracts to be awarded by the end of this year.
ABOUT HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Positioned at the edge of the Arabian Gulf, Hamad International Airport enjoys a tranquil waterside setting that provides a spectacular backdrop for its stylish architectural elements, underpinned by advanced airport systems in line with its ‘Smart Airport’ vision.
Operating 24/7, the airport features two runways, a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower and currently processes 30 million passengers and 360,000 aircraft per year. With over 40,000sq m of combined retail, food & beverage facilities, extensive spa facilities and a collection of unique art pieces from internationally acclaimed artists, HIA is designed as a destination it its own right for the modern traveller.
ALL SET FOR THE TRINITY FORUM 2019
The Trinity Forum 2019 joint hosts Hamad International Airport, Qatar Duty Free and Qatar Airways have vowed that this year’s event will be among the most memorable in the event’s 16-year history.
Events will kick off with a spectacular golf event on 29 October. The Trinity Forum Golf Day will take place at the new Education City Golf Club. Described by the hosting partners as a landmark project for Qatar and the world of golf, Education City Golf Club offers a “revolutionary and holistic approach” to one of the world’s most popular sports.
Participants will play 18 holes of golf using state-of-the-art equipment. Any non-golfers who would like to be involved can take part in a golf clinic that will teach them the basics of the game and welcome them into the sport.
Hamad International Airport, Qatar Duty Free and Qatar Airways will also be hosting city tours on the morning of Wednesday 30 October to showcase Qatar and some of its landmarks, ahead of the start of The Trinity Forum conference.
In what is arguably the most provocative and challenging programme in the event’s history, Chen will also be joined (in a separate session) by two of the most senior executives from Chinese ecommerce and retail giant Alibaba, Angel Zhao and Roman Zhu.
Zhao is President of Alibaba’s Global Business Group while Zhu is General Manager of Fliggy Buy – Alibaba’s new platform that allows Chinese travellers to make purchases online at duty free and tax free shops before they leave home.
They will join His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, who is CEO of Qatar Airways Group, Secretary General of the Qatar National Tourism Council and CEO of several divisions of Qatar’s national airline, including Qatar Executive, Hamad International Airport, Qatar Aviation Services, Qatar Aircraft Catering Company, Qatar Distribution Company, Qatar Duty Free and Internal Media Services for the event.
Another stand-out session sees an Airports CEO panel featuring Kansai International’s Emmanuel Menanteau, Queen Alia International’s Kjeld Binger and Pittsburgh International’s Christina Cassotis.
Woods Bagot Global|North America Retail Sector Leader Kevin Roche; OurShop (AirAsia) CEO Lalitha Sivanaser; SSP America Executive Vice President Pat Murray; Groupe ADP Chief Retail Officer Aude Ferrand; Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Badr Al-Meer; and Heathrow Airport Retail Director Fraser Brown are other top speakers.
They are joined by Container Hotel Group CEO & Co-founder Ryan Loo; Nestlé International Travel Retail General Manager Stewart Dryburgh; L’Oréal Travel Retail Global Retail & Digital Director Sophie Neyertz-Ehrsam; and Philip Morris International (PMI) General Manager Duty Free MEA&ISC Tomislav Vujcic.
Other pre-eminent industry executives incliude Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail Chairman and CEO Mohit Lal; Mars Wrigley International Travel Retail Global Category Director Raghav Rekhi; AOE CEO Kian Gould; Zürich Airport Head of Commercial Centres Heidi Köpple; and oOh! Media Chief Commercial and Product Officer Robbie Derry and Lagardère Travel Retail Head of Strategic Development Asia Grant Fleming.
The Trinity Challenge
As reported, Mondelez World Travel Retail has partnered with The Moodie Davitt Report for the Trinity Challenge, in line with the confectionery house’s role as Innovation Partner for The Trinity Forum 2019.
The Trinity Challenge aims to rekindle the pioneering mindset of the original Trinity White Paper by encouraging stakeholders to challenge each other and question prevailing wisdom.
The Trinity Challenge asks contestants to set themselves as a landlord, tenant, brand or consultant at the hypothetical Nirvana Airport. Contestants are asked to break the conventional wisdom of travel retail and pitch an innovative new idea that could be implemented at the airport.
The concept must involve the participation and investment from all three members of the Trinity, to be considered a true Trinity partnership. The objectives are to drive increased penetration, higher average transaction value and greater frequency of purchase.
Submissions can consider the following areas: omnichannel, sustainability, technology, logistics solutions, marketing concepts, new categories and segmentation, new business models, new experiences and media.
Packed social programme
A city tour on the morning of 30 October and a pink-themed Opening Cocktail event (in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month), with cocktails provided by Platinum Partner Diageo, that evening, are other highlights.
The Forum will conclude on the evening of 31 October with a Gala Dinner hosted by Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free, with spirits and wines kindly provided by Pernod Ricard. The full itinerary can be viewed here.
The Trinity Forum, which has grown to become the world’s most influential airport commercial revenues conference, will be taking place at the St. Regis Hotel in Doha.
Qatar Airways is offering a 15% discount on fares to and from Doha for delegates (https://www.qatarairways.com/en-qa/offers/cug/TTF19.html – Promotional Code: DOHTTF19).
Platinum partners for the event include Diageo Global Travel; Dufry; L’Oréal Travel Retail; Mars Wrigley International Travel Retail; Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail; and Mondelēz International, which is also Innovation Partner and champion of the Trinity Challenge.
Silver partners include Rituals and Victorinox and App Partners Smart Alliance.
Additional partners include Cabin Zero, CAPI, Godiva, Happy Socks, Lacoste, Leonidas, Loacker, Long Haul Spa, Mercedes-Benz Parfums, Nestlé International Travel Retail, Tous and Travel Food Services.
For sponsorship opportunities please contact Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com or Sarah Genest at Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com
