HIA wins ‘Strategic Project of the Year Award’ in New York

Hamad International Airport (HIA) has won the ‘Strategic Project of the Year Award’ at the 2015 Global Projects of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place in New York City recently.The ceremony took place during the eighth Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum organised by CG/LA Infrastructure, with the winners being selected by industry executives from around the world. Out of five nominees shortlisted in the category of ‘Strategic project of the year’, HIA was announced as the winner.  HIA chief operating officer Badr al-Meer said: “This award is one that makes HIA and Qatar proud. As the world’s latest state-of-the-art airport hub and gateway to Qatar, Hamad International Airport is a key part of Qatar’s National Vision 2030. Following a decade of pioneering design, engineering and construction work, HIA is a flagship national project and one of the most ambitious and strategic global projects undertaken, as has been attested by this award.”The forum had more than 400 executives participating from 40 countries with project presentations from some 28 different countries including Qatar. The theme of this year’s event was “Build, build, build: generating global growth” and focused on infrastructure as the catalyst for the growth of key economies around the world, including Qatar. “It is an honour to recognise these project sponsors who are systematically changing the economic, competitive, and opportunity landscapes of their countries. Their innovative ways of directing, designing, and funding infrastructure builds are changing the way we think about infrastructure development and will leave a lasting impact on the industry,” said Norman F Anderson, president and CEO of CG/LA Infrastructure.Conveniently located within an eight-hour flight for more than two thirds of the global population, Hamad International Airport “redefines” customer experience for business and leisure travellers. The airport’s passenger terminal complex has been designed to provide passengers with a seamless and hassle-free experience from arrival and transfers to boarding, achieving minimal connection times of just 30 minutes. This has been achieved with the integration of the latest technology from check-in terminals, and security scanners to fully automated baggage systems.