Qatar’s gateway to the world – Hamad International Airport is all set to receive more than a million visitors who will be in Doha soon to witness the greatest sporting spectacle – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Last week, Hamad International Airport opened the newly expanded terminal as part of its ‘Phase A’ expansion, which means the state-of-the-art airport will now be able to cater to 58mn passengers annually.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani inaugurated HIA’s newly expanded terminal and toured the facility. 
He was also briefed on HIA’s capacities in terms of receiving incoming and departing passengers, as well as the modern systems used.
The newly expanded terminal houses HIA’s second airport hotel – ‘Oryx Garden’ and ‘Orchard’ – an indoor tropical garden that has sourced 300 plus trees and 25,000 plants from sustainable forests around the world.
The ‘Oryx Garden’ hotel will come in handy for passengers during their stopover flights in Doha.
‘Orchard’ – an indoor tropical garden has sourced 300 plus trees and 25,000 plants from sustainable forests around the world.
In the expanded terminal, Qatar Duty Free is offering retail and F&B options with more than 65 retail and dining outlets spread across its three levels. 
The expansion now enables travellers to “seamlessly transfer” from one area to another, greatly reducing their wait time at the airport.
The newly expanded terminal encompassed a total of nine projects, which includes Central Concourse – (The Orchard, retail & F&B, Oryx Garden Hotel and North Plaza Lounges, Al Mourjan Business Lounge, Remote Transfer Baggage Facility (RTBF) building and system, Virtual Air Traffic Control Tower, Western Taxiway and Stand Development works, Western Fuel Farm and Midfield Fuel Farm expansion works and Cargo Bridging.
Through the expansion, HIA has upgraded its facilities and offerings – creating a fine destination for passengers from around the world.
With sustainability at the core of HIA’s plans, the airport has managed to have four of the expansion projects achieve a 4-star rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) from Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD). 
The expansion will facilitate aircraft movement and air control, in conjunction with the requirements of operational intensity during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which is only a few days away.
This will enhance the opportunities to meet the increasing demand for individual travel and air freight. 
In a recent statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said the expansion plan of Hamad International Airport will enhance its position as a global centre for travel, helping it achieve higher levels of excellence and development and enhance travel experiences through it by upgrading operations, providing a unique experience for all visitors and accommodating the growing network of Qatar Airways to meet the requirements of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 
From world-class services to a bouquet of F&B and retail offerings, the expansion further strengthens HIA’s ambition as it look towards maintaining its status as the “best airport” in the world.