Doha Airport opening

1 April has been chosen for the ‘soft’ opening of the new Doha airport officially to be called 'Hamad International' in honour of His Highness The Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani whose vision it was to create a world-class international gateway within the Arabian Gulf.  The airport will be operated by Qatar Airways.
 
Details of the launch were unveiled last week to an audience of more than 100 airport officials and airline executives at an event jointly organised by Qatar Airways, the Hamad International Airport’s Operational Readiness and Airport Transition team and Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority.

The first phase of the US$15.5bn project involves 12 international passenger airlines becoming the launch carriers of the new facility.  These include low-cost carriers.
 
Qatar Airways will not move its operations to Hamad International Airport until the second half of the year.  The new airport is built partly on reclaimed land about three miles east of the existing facility.  The massive single terminal has been designed for up to 50m passengers and will initially handle an easy 28m.  Somewhat delayed (it was supposed to be ready in 2009) it should certainly prove that good things are worth waiting for. www.dohaairport.com

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