*Qatar's state-of-the-art airport handled 2,163,544 tonnes of cargo in 2018, up 8.4% on the previous year
Hamad International Airport served a total of 34.5mn passengers and handled 2,163,544 tonnes of cargo in 2018, up 8.4% on the previous year.
HIA’s 2018 fourth quarter results showed the airport welcomed a total of 8.1mn passengers, a 5.6% passenger increment compared to the fourth quarter of 2017. 
HIA further handled 57,831 in aircraft movements, achieving an increase of 14.3%, as well as handling 570,337 tonnes of cargo, attaining an increase of 8.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2017.
HIA has “contributed its efforts to a successful year by investing in facilities, services, staff and the newest technologies to provide a world-class passenger experience” to its travellers.
Experiencing steady year-on-year passenger growth, with 8.1mn passengers just in the last quarter of 2018 and a projected increase of 20% in passenger traffic this year, the airport continues to deliver on its vision of becoming the ‘airport of the future’. 
HIA ranked as the 2nd best airport in the world for On-Time Performance (OTP) in OAG’s Punctuality League report. According to OAG, the leading global provider of digital flight information, Qatar's state-of-the-art airport ranked 2nd in the major airports category (from 20 to 30mn departing seats per annum) with 85.41% of its flights operating on time. 
The Punctuality League is based on 58mn flight records using full-year data from 2017 to create a ranking of the best on-time performance (OTP) for the world's largest airlines and airports. 
HIA newly joined the top 20 airports in the ‘Major Airports’ category within the Punctuality League this year, which is recognised as the world's definitive measurement of on-time performance.
HIA chief operating officer Badr Mohamed al-Meer said, “This has been a highly rewarding and successful year for the airport as witnessed by our year-end results and multiple awards and accolades, including recognition from OAG’s punctuality league for OTP. 
“We are honoured by this distinguished ranking, among other awards and accolades, that acknowledge Hamad International Airport's success in providing passengers with seamless, hassle-free travel and an unparalleled passenger experience.”
HIA has been honoured with numerous awards and accolades this year, receiving ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the fourth year in a row and ‘Best Staff Service in the Middle East’ for the third year in a row by the Skytrax World Airport Awards. 
The awards recognise HIA’s innovative facilities, five-star customer service and state-of-the-art terminal which offers passengers both a convenient and leisurely airport experience. 
Skytrax has also recognised HIA’s best-in-class service by presenting it with the ‘five-star’ airport status, classifying HIA as the only airport in the Middle East with this prestigious status.