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In order to meet the growing expansion plans of
Qatar as well as the national airline -
Qatar Airways, more than US$1 billion is being invested in
infrastructure improvements at Doha International Airport while
construction of the multi-billion New Doha International Airport
continues.
Slated to open by 2012, the New Doha
International Airport will initially be able to handle 24 million
passengers annually, rising to 50 million when fully operational
beyond 2015.
A a brand new transit terminal will
soon open at the eastern apron
featuring eight gates, snack centre and a duty free shop, operated
by Qatar Duty Free, one of the airline’s subsidiaries.
The
transit facility will help process passengers arriving at the
eastern apron with less than 60-minute flight connections. At
present all passengers use the main terminal for arrivals,
transfers and departures, which provides limited time for
travellers who have tight connections.
Over the past two
years, new aircraft parking bays have been created at the eastern
apron, with a total of 16 now in operation. At the main apron, the
number of parking bays has increased from 16 to 23.
A new
drive-through side entrance to the Premium Terminal has already
opened. Expansion of the first floor Business Class lounge will
see the current seating capacity of 320 seats increase by 250
seats – 80% – together with more shower rooms, buffet and
dining area.
Duty free space will be almost doubled to
cater for a wider range of high-end premium products ranging from
fragrances and cosmetics to electronics and clothing. The Premium
Terminal is divided into two sections, one for First Class
offering a seating capacity of 140 passengers, and one for
Business Class travellers.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said US$1
billion was being invested in the airport infrastructure
expansion, stressing it was necessary as the national airline was
committed to its long-term passenger growth averaging 35%
year on year.
“Our expansion is growing at a remarkable
pace,” he said, adding, “with new aircraft joining our fleet at an
incredible rate of one a month for the foreseeable future, we need
the airport infrastructure to be able to cope, hence the creation
of a new transit terminal and more seating capacity at the Premium
Terminal.”
Qatar Airways currently carries more
than 12 million passengers a year and with up to six new routes
being launched over the next 10 months, including Goa and Amritsar
in India; Sydney and Melbourne in Australia; and two further
cities in Europe.
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