A Qatar Airways A320 flight hosting local dignitaries became the first plane to officially land at the newly-opened Hamad International Airport. The flight, in celebration of the soft opening of the airport, precedes Qatar Airways’ transfer on 27 May.

 

As previously reported by TRBusiness.com, Qatar’s impressive new Hamad International Airport (HIA) is scheduled to open mid 2014 according to H.E. Mr. Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al-Noaimi – Chairman of The Steering Committee of the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) – who announced new details at a press conference held at the new passenger terminal on Wednesday 15 January.

 

The Passenger Terminal was built with an internal area of 600,000sq m. In its opening configuration, the terminal has three concourses and 33 contact gates, increasing to five concourses and 65 contact gates, including eight for the A380 in the final build-out.

The terminal also includes 16 lounges for various categories of passengers, 28 art installations by local, regional and international artists, more than 100 F&B and retail outlets, a transit hotel, a swimming pool, a luxury spa and squash courts.

 

Hamad International Airport welcomed a celebratory Qatar Airways’ VIP flight this morning, upon the airport’s highly anticipated soft opening.

 

The Qatar Airways A320 aircraft, which left Doha International Airport just before 11:00am, landed on Hamad International Airport’s Easterly runway shortly afterwards. Upon arrival, QR7450 was greeted by a traditional water salute and a warm welcome from gathering crowds at gate B3, on one of the airport’s new concourses.

 

Minister of Transportation His Excellency Mr. Jassim Al Sulaiti, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker and Chairman of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, His Excellency Mr. Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al Noaimi coming out from the new arrivals area of HIA.

 

10 AIRLINES TO OPERATE

Onboard the inaugural flight to Hamad International Airport were VIPs and other dignitaries, including; Minister of Transportation, His Excellency Mr. Jassim Al Sulaiti, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker and Chairman of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, His Excellency Mr. Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al Noaimi.

 

Also onboard were NDIA Project Director, Mr. Bernardo Gogna, together with other members of the New Doha International Airport Steering Committee, Mr. Nassr Al Ansari, Mr. Mohammad Al Meer, Mr. Abdulla Al Muraikhi, Mr Abdulla Al Asiri, Mr. Eissa Al Rumaihi, Mr. Ali Al Abdulla, Mr. Saad Al Otaibi and Dr. Jaffar Abdulrahim. Joining them were Manager of Airport Security, Mr. Eissa Arrar Al Romaihi, Manager of Airport Immigration, Colonel Mohamed Al Mazroui and Aeronautical College Manager, Mr. Ali Al Malki.

 

Following the soft launch today, 10 airlines are now operating fully from Hamad International Airport. These are; Biman Bangladesh Airlines, flydubai, Air Arabia, Iran Air, Air India Express, Yemenia, Pakistan International Airlines, Syrian Airlines, Pegasus Airlines and Nepal Airlines.

 

Qatar Airways will move its entire hub operations to Hamad International Airport on 27th May. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “It is a historic moment, not only in the history of our airline, but for the State of Qatar, to see this Qatar Airways VIP flight touch down at the newly opened Hamad International Airport.

 

Minister of Transportation His Excellency Mr. Jassim Al Sulaiti, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker and Chairman of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, His Excellency Mr. Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al Noaimi coming out from the new arrivals area of HIA.

 

QATAR AIRWAYS TO OPEN ON 27 MAY

“Today’s highly anticipated opening of the new airport signifies to the world that Doha is now ready to open its doors for passengers to experience an airport that transforms the travel experience, and it is with much excitement that we await the move of all Qatar Airways flights to this new facility on the 27th May.”

 

Designed to accommodate 30 million passengers annually, rising to 50 million upon full completion, the airport covers an area of 29sq km and is 60% built on land reclaimed from the Gulf.

 

Qatar Airways, the national carrier for the State of Qatar, will officially move to Hamad International Airport on the 27th May.

 

On October 30, 2013, Qatar Airways joined the oneworld Alliance, becoming the first Gulf carrier to join a global airline alliance, enabling its customers to benefit from almost 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,000 daily departures.