Doha

Officials of the Hamad International Airport (HIA) said passenger traffic reached 26.3mn or a 13% growth in 2014 compared to the 23.2mn recorded last year.
HIA saw a total of 26,356,392 travellers departing, arriving, and transiting through its passenger terminal complex last year. Of these, 10.6mn passengers travelled through Doha International Airport, Doha’s former commercial airport, while 15.7mn passengers used HIA, which started commercial operations on May 27, 2014.
Cargo movements also increased by 13% with 114,445,235 more cargo movements in 2014 compared to the previous year. HIA chief operating officer Badr al-Meer said this was in line with the airport’s commitment to exponentially increase Qatar’s capacity to handle international movement of people and goods.
“I am happy to report the increase in passenger numbers and cargo traffic in 2014. This largely owes to our transition to Hamad International Airport, which offers our passengers world-class facilities and services with the very latest technology integrated into the airport, establishing its global standing as an international transit hub,” al-Meer said.
Al-Meer also noted that the rapid growth of Qatar Airways, which has introduced several new destinations and has added new state-of-the-art aircraft to its fleet, was “another significant reason for the upsurge in passenger numbers.”
This year, al-Meer said he expects a steady growth in passenger traffic and cargo, as well as aircraft movement.
“We will also be introducing new facilities and services to the passenger terminal complex to ensure passengers have a seamless and hassle-free journey, marking our airport’s commitment to world-class standards,” he said.
The HIA is situated at the edge of the Arabian Gulf and features two runways, among the longest in the world, a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower, passenger terminal with an initial design capacity of 30m passengers per year, more than 40,000 square metres of combined retail, food and beverage facilities, and a uniquely-shaped public mosque.
“Hamad International Airport is a world-class facility that sets new benchmarks and redefines the passenger and transit experience,” al-Meer said.
For more information on the airport, flights, and airline operations, visit www.dohahamadairport.com or Twitter (@HIAQatar), Facebook (Facebook.com/HIAQatar), and Instagram (HIAQatar) for updates.

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