Hamad International Airport details unveiled
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The Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker recently unveiled details on the nation’s airport infrastructure developments. 
He spoke of how 2013 will be an exciting year and chapter for the State of Qatar’s aviation industry as the country prepares for the opening of the brand new Hamad International Airport.
The facility, built at a cost of over US$15.5bn, is set to open in phases, beginning 1 April with a select-few airlines moving from current Doha International Airport. Qatar Airways Group, which will manage and operate the new airport, will move to Hamad International towards the end of the year.
Baker also commented on how Qatar Airways looked forward to becoming a fully fledged member of oneworld. “This airport is being watched closely by industry observers around the world, an airport that will set the standards and benchmark globally in the quality of facilities, services and finishings, nowhere seen anywhere in the world,” he added.
The airport will initially have a handling capacity of 28 million passengers a year, increasing to 50 million in its final phase of development beyond 2015. The current airport will remain open to passenger services until Qatar Airways moves its entire operations to the new facility. Highlights of the new facility include over 40,000 sqm of retail space and passenger lounges, 41 contact gates, dedicated gates for the Airbus A380 superjumbo, a VVIP terminal, a mosque, cargo complex and two runways.
