Qatar Airways and the country’s two airports – Hamad International and Doha International — are all ready to welcome the more than a million visitors over the next one month to watch the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker said on Thursday.
Addressing a media event at the ‘Passenger Overflow Area’ at HIA last night, al-Baker said the facility is the first one of its kind for the biggest football event in the world.
The passenger overflow areas at both HIA and DIA will be operating for 24 hours a day, seven days a week (until December 31) – and will include a variety of food and beverage options, retail stores, gaming areas, football pitches for children, quiet areas, luggage storage, a lost and found desk, flight information screen, a free WI-FI activation area and more.
The passenger overflow area does not include check-in service desks, so travellers can either check-in online while at the premises or visit the check-in halls at HIA or DIA. The passenger overflow area at DIA will be able to welcome up to 12,000 departing passengers per day. On the other hand, HIA has the capacity to accommodate 24,000 passengers a day.
“All our airports will be crowded over the next month because of the millions of visitors and VIPs who will be arriving in Doha to watch the World Cup. Next month, our airports will get busier as we are expecting many fans from countries that qualify for the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final,” al-Baker said.
“The passenger overflow areas will allow fans to experience the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 until the very end of their journey in Qatar. It will allow travellers to utilise their waiting time prior to their flights by enjoying exciting activities, which includes shopping, resting and watching football matches,” he said.