National carrier Qatar Airways, with a current fleet of some 134 aircraft and 138 international destinations, will officially move to its new home at Hamad International Airport (HIA) on May 27.
Qatar Airways has been operating out of Doha International Airport for 17 years.
“We have been planning for this day for a long time and May 27 will be a momentous day for both Qatar and Qatar Airways as we commence operations from Hamad International Airport,” said Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker.
“This airport will redefine the international traveller experience and set a new benchmark for airport excellence, and will enable Qatar Airways to offer our passengers an unrivalled experience.”
The airline said the move to HIA’s state-of-the-art facilities would compliment its “five-star” service. “HIA will offer passengers a new standard in international travel and help in supporting Qatar Airways as it continues to grow its operations through its continuous fleet and route expansion.”
On October 30 last year, 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.
HIA, the world’s newest international hub, was built on land, about two-thirds of which was reclaimed from the sea. The airport, which will operate Concourses A, B and C initially, will have the capacity to accommodate 30mn passengers annually upon opening and will redefine airport excellence.
HIA will eventually accommodate 50mn passengers a year once Concourses D and E are opened and the airport is operating at full capacity.
The state-of-the-art facility features 138 check-in counters across five “islands”, comprising of 108 counters for Qatar Airways’ economy passengers and all other airlines; 14 seated check-in areas for Qatar Airways’ first class passengers; and 16 counters dedicated to Qatar Airways’ business class passengers.
In addition, HIA will operate some 41 contact gates, which will increase to 65 once the airport opens Concourses D and E. Six of the gates will be fully dedicated to servicing the Airbus A380 aircraft, of which Qatar Airways has 13 on order with the first delivery expected in early June.
Following the soft opening of the airport on April 30, some 10 airlines are already operating from HIA.
