Hamad International Airport is all geared up to host thousands of visitors in the run-up to 2022 World Cup and beyond. Qatar’s aviation hub served 9.38 million passengers in April, May and June this year, making it the busiest second quarter the airport has seen. This proves the airport’s efforts in introducing industry level innovations and provide all travellers with exceptional five-star services. HIA served 3,427,723 passengers in April; 2,792,445 in May; and 3,152,384 in June. The state-of-the-art terminal also handled 56,452 aircraft movements during the period.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport, said: “The growth momentum in passenger numbers reflects HIA’s commitment to working continuously to strongly grow the airport and ensure it to be the experience of choice for all travellers. It is also a testament to the rapid growth of Qatar Airways which currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub at HIA to more than 160 destinations worldwide.”
Hamad International Airport has always been at the forefront in setting the standard for modern day airport experience ever since its launch in May 2014. Stepping up this experience, Qatar’s aviation hub launched the second phase of its innovative Smart Airport program which sets to initiate an exciting major digital transformation of the passenger journey through facial biometric recognition across all key passenger touch points. The system, a central piece of HIA’s digital strategy, combines passengers’ flight, passport, and facial biometric information in a single electronic record at the self-check-in kiosk or mobile app.
HIA has also started the second phase of its terminal expansion plans to accommodate 53 million passengers annually at the airport by 2022. The airport will see the construction of an Airport City which will provide significant future investment opportunities, including a free trade zone, an office and business complex, and hotels among others. HIA will also see the construction of a new cargo terminal. HIA has received “Best Airport for Passenger Experience” ranking from AirHelp, the world’s leading air passenger rights specialist, for the second consecutive year.
In the second quarter, Qatar Airways also inaugurated five new destinations. Linking HIA to the world, Qatar Airways’ new routes include Izmir, Turkey; and Rabat, Morocco; which were launched in May; with Davao, the Philippines, Malta and Lisbon, Portugal, joining the network in June. With the expansion of the route network, HIA looks forward to welcoming a rising number of travellers aboard Qatar’s state-of-the-art facility to experience a unique passenger journey into the world of the arts, culture and hospitality.
HIA’s overall achievements are unmatched by any other airport in the region. HIA continues to be one of the fastest-growing hubs in the world.
