Doha’s New Airport - Hamad International - to Open 1 April 2013

The State of Qatar is preparing to open a new chapter in its remarkable aviation industry with preparations well underway for the 1 April 2013 first phase opening of the new Hamad International Airport to be operated by national carrier Qatar Airways.

The first phase of the US$15.5 billion project involves 12 international passenger airlines becoming the launch carriers of the new facility from 1 April. These include low-cost airlines. Qatar Airways will move its entire operations to Hamad International Airport in the second half of the year.

Until recently, the airport was known under the project working name New Doha International Airport (NDIA).

With the phased approach, Doha will have a dual airport operation until full operations begin at Hamad International in the second half of 2013.

Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) Chairman H. E. Abdul Aziz Al Noiami said, “Hamad International Airport will truly be a global showpiece that the State of Qatar will justifiably be proud of. I am delighted to say that we have indeed succeeded in living up to the vision of His Highness The Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani to create a world-class international gateway that will firmly put our country on the global stage.”

Cargo operations and catering facilities at the new airport are expected to be ready for operations within weeks.

From March, freight forwarders and agents in Qatar will process import and export consignments at Hamad International Airport. Cargo uplift and arrivals will remain at Doha International Airport from where shipments will be transported by road to the new facility.

Cargo flights operated by Qatar Airways and other freighter companies are expected to begin to and from Hamad International from the summer.

The next few months will see the new catering facility open in phases, initially handling meals for airlines operating from the new airport. Starting in the summer the catering facility, capable of handling almost 100,000 meals a day, will supply meals for all flights operating from both airports.

Trials of various facilities involving passengers and cargo have been in place for over six months, and mass trials involving hundreds of passengers at a time will soon begin at the passenger terminal complex of Hamad International ahead of the April opening.

“By working with Qatar Airways and the various stakeholders, live trials have been carried out to validate all operational flows in the airport as if the airport is totally functional,” said Al Noiami. “We are confident that we will have a fully functional and highly efficient airport to welcome our national carrier Qatar Airways when they move to their spectacular new home towards the second part of the year.”

Hamad International Airport will accommodate 28 million passengers annually when it opens this year, increasing to 50 million beyond 2015.