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His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed, in a meeting held Thursday in the Amiri Terminal at Hamad International Airport, the latest developments in light of the continued Iranian aggression on Qatar and a number of countries of the region.The president reiterated full solidarity with Qatar, stressing its support for any measures Qatar may take to protect its sovereignty, security and the safety of its citizens.HH the Amir voiced his gratitude for Egypt's stance and fraternal solidarity, appreciating the strength of the ties between the two countries.Both sides emphasised their rejection of any military actions that would expand the scope of the conflict, stressing the importance of intensifying regional and international efforts to reduce escalation, and working through diplomatic channels to maintain security and stability in the region.HH the Amir and Sisi exchanged Eid Al Fitr greetings, praying to Allah for more happy and blessed returns for the two countries and peoples.His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, His Excellency Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi, and a lineup of Their Excellencies senior officials attended the meeting.On Egypt's side, the meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, Chief of the President's Office Major General Ahmed Ali, and a lineup of Their Excellencies members of the President's accompanying delegation.Earlier, HH the Amir received Egyptian president upon his arrival at Hamad International Airport in Doha.The Egyptian president was accompanied by a senior delegation for the visit. The welcoming party included HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani and HE Amiri Diwan Chief Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Khulaifi.At the conclusion of the visit, HH the Amir led the farewell ceremony as Sisi and his accompanying delegation departed, with HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and HE the Chief of the Amiri Diwan also present to bid farewell.  

His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Thursday with Chancellor of Federal Republic of Germany Friedrich Merz. The meeting discussed co-operation relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them. In addition, it discussed a number of topics of common interest. Chancellor Friedrich Merz left Doha Thursday, following an official visit to the country. Chancellor Merz and the accompanying delegation were seen off upon departure from Hamad International Airport by His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani, ambassador of Qatar to Germany Abdullah bin Ibrahim al-Hamar and ambassador of Germany to Qatar Oliver Owcza. 

Hamad International Airport’s duty free sales' share to total sales was seen highest among the Middle Eastern airports and its revenue dependence on duty free was also seen higher, according to The Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East, the trade group representing over 600 airports across 44 countries and territories.The Middle Eastern airports otherwise saw electronics spend climb 14% as passengers increasingly leveraged tax advantages and sought out airport-exclusive collections unavailable in malls, a shift toward more deliberate, value-driven purchasing at the airport, revealing a fundamental change in airport retail dynamics, revealing a fundamental change in airport retail dynamics, said ‘Travel Retail Study in the Post-Pandemic Era', developed by ACI Asia Pacific and Middle East, in partnership with Auran and Steer."Duty-free has become the financial backbone of airports across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, delivering a significant share of retail revenue and driving commercial performance at major hub," it said.Highlighting that in the Middle East, duty-free is not just important, it is central to airport economics; it said within total sale, the duty-free sales shares are consistently high across the region, with Qatar at 38%, followed by the UAE 36%, Bahrain at 34%, Saudi Arabia 31% and Oman 31%."The revenue dependence is even higher, around 60% in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and over 50% across the UAE, Bahrain and Oman," said the study.The Middle East duty-free baskets favour confectionery and perfumes, while Asia-Pacific and Oceania hubs are more premium and alcohol-driven, it said, adding across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, airport retail performance shows strong uniformity, with the same categories consistently leading sales.Luxury goods and perfumes and cosmetics rank as the top two categories in both regions, reinforcing airports as trusted destinations for premium, duty-free and gifting purchases. Electronics typically rank third, supported by pricing advantages and last-minute convenience, and together these top three categories generate the highest net margins for airports.Beyond the top tier, regional preferences emerge, with local products performing strongly in Asia-Pacific, while confectionery and impulse gifting categories show greater strength in the Middle East.As much as 56% of responding airports held their commercial revenue is now stronger than 2019 levels, it said, adding as much as 44% of airports also expect higher commercial revenue per passenger in the next 12 months.Referring to the UAE and Saudi Arabia; it said outbound travelers from these nations are now top spenders, characterised by high disposable income and a strong gifting culture."The strongest spenders today originate from China, India, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, reflecting the specific traveller segments, trip purposes, and purchasing behaviours that these markets currently generate," it said.The study also points out that younger travelers are now driving spend, while passenger behaviour, rather than sheer traffic volumes, has become the defining factor of airport travel retail performance."Airports that align their commercial strategies with evolving passenger behaviour are better equipped to manage revenue volatility, sustain investment capacity, and remain competitive over the long term,” said Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia Pacific and Middle East.The study found Gen Zs (1997-2012) and Millennials (1981-1996) spend 3.5 times higher than Gen X (1965-80) & Boomers (1946-64).Gen Zs are four times more likely than Boomers to buy electronics, it said, adding Gen Zs are 2.5 times more likely than Boomers to buy luxury products and Boomers are 1.4 times more likely than Gen Z to buy confectionary products. 

Qatar Airways on Monday marked the launch of three non-stop weekly flights between Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Qatar and Hail International Airport (HAS), its 13th destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new route underscores the airline's strategic focus on expanding its presence across the Kingdom, highlighting the importance of the Saudi market in its global network. Aligned with Qatar Airways' long-term commitment to enhancing regional connectivity, the new service is set to boost travel from Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East and Southeast Asia to the north-central region of Saudi Arabia. With the addition of Hail, Qatar Airways will now operate over 150 weekly flights to 13 Saudi destinations including Abha, AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, NEOM, Qassim, Riyadh, Tabuk, Taif, The Red Sea, and Yanbu. Voted the World's Best Airline by Skytrax in 2025, Qatar Airways offers passengers from across the Kingdom seamless and world-class connectivity to more than 170 destinations globally through its award-winning Doha hub, Hamad International Airport.

Hamad International Airport recently welcomed the inaugural China Southern Airlines flight CZ8059 bound from Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).The celebration began with a traditional water salute, followed by an airport ceremony featuring a ribbon-cutting and warm gestures of hospitality. The event highlighted the collective ambition between Qatar and China to unite people and opportunities across continents, a statement said.

Hamad International Airport has signed a significant Sister Airport agreement with Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX), reinforcing Qatar-China ties and further expanding passenger and cargo connectivity between the Middle East and China. The MoU was signed at Routes World 2025 in Hong Kong by Hamad Al Khater, Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport, and Chen Fanhua, Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen Airport Group and Board Chairman of Shenzhen Airport Co., Ltd. The agreement, signed between MATAR, the Qatar Company for Airports Management and Operation, and Shenzhen Capital Group, operator of Shenzhen Bao'an, establishes a strategic framework for collaboration. Focus areas include exchanging market insights, coordinated route planning, and technology adoption, leveraging their shared strength as innovation hubs, to strengthen connectivity for passengers and trade flows between China, the Middle East, and beyond. Hamad Al Khater, Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport said: "By linking Doha and Shenzhen, with shared values in technology and service excellence, we are creating smarter, more sustainable journeys for future travelers while advancing stronger economic and cultural ties between our nations." Chen Fanhua, Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen Airport Group, said: "Hamad International Airport is a leading hub in the Middle East, and partnering with it represents a meaningful step in Shenzhen Airport's journey toward internationalization. As one of the gateways of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen Airport is committed to expanding its global network and enhancing its hub functions. Through this partnership, we will work hand in hand with Hamad International Airport to provide passengers with more seamless and convenient travel experiences, open new opportunities for trade and tourism, and deliver sustainable value to passengers, airline partners, and the broader economies of both regions." Hamad International Airport connects to nine Chinese cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu as well as Hong Kong. These cities are connected to more than 120 global destinations through Doha. From January to August this year, Qatar's airport has served over 1.1 million passengers from these Chinese cities. At Routes World, the global aviation summit for route development and connectivity, Hamad International Airport engaged with airline partners best positioned to strengthen Qatar's global network, enhance passenger and cargo flows, and drive demand for Doha as a destination. The airport showcased its robust hub performance and its point-to-point passenger growth, reinforcing its position as a strategic connector between Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Recent milestones underscore the momentum of Qatar and China's successful aviation partnership. In October 2024, Shenzhen Airlines launched thrice-weekly Doha-Shenzhen flights, its first Middle East route and Doha's ninth Chinese destination. A testament to growing ties between Qatar and China, Qatar Airways recently announced the expansion of its codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines. Starting 16 October 2025, Qatar Airways will share code on China Southern's three weekly direct flights between Beijing Daxing and Doha. Similarly, China Southern will be expanding its "CZ" code on Qatar Airways-operated flights beyond Doha to 15 destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. China Southern will further extend its code to flights between Doha and four major Chinese cities of Chengdu, Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, subject to Chinese government approval. This latest agreement between Hamad International Airport and Shenzhen Bao'an builds on its recent Sister Airport MoU with Beijing Daxing International Airport, further strengthening Qatar's strategic aviation links with China.

Hamad International Airport has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).The partnership advances Qatar–China co-operation and expands global air connectivity via Doha.The ‘sister airport’ agreement, signed at Beijing Daxing’s terminal, built to shape the next generation of air travel, complements Qatar Airways’ partnership with China Southern Airlines and the MoU between the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).Together, these moves highlight aviation’s pivotal role in driving economic growth, cultural exchange, and rising travel demand.Under the MoU, MATAR, the Qatar Company for Airports Management and Operation, and Beijing Capital International Airport Group Company, operator of Beijing Daxing, will pursue joint projects to enhance both passenger and cargo flows. Collaboration will focus on operations, technology, service design, and innovation, positioning both airports as leaders in hub excellence.Hamad International Airport connects to nine Chinese cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu as well as Hong Kong.These cities are connected to more than 120 global destinations through Doha, reinforcing Qatar’s airport as the preferred Middle East hub for Chinese passengers.Hamad al-Khater, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport, said: “This opportunity affirms Hamad International Airport key role in driving aviation diplomacy, and advancing Qatar’s partnership with China. By collaborating with Beijing Daxing, one of the world’s most forward-looking airports, we are anticipating the evolving needs of tomorrow’s travellers and shaping the future of global connectivity, with Doha as China’s trusted gateway to the Middle East and beyond.”Zhang Lin, CEO and President of Beijing Daxing International Airport, said: “As two important international aviation hubs in the world, Daxing Airport and Hamad Airport have formally established sister airport relations, and will start in-depth cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, work together to create a "golden channel" for airline network, build a "green corridor" for freight logistics, promote the "smart innovation" in operation and management, and continuously enhance the global competitiveness of the two hubs, thus becoming a deepening cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Qatar.”The sister airport agreement builds upon a series of successful initiatives between Qatar and China. Qatar Airways’ strategic partnerships with China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines have expanded connectivity between both nations.A testament to growing ties between Qatar and China, Qatar Airways recently announced the expansion of its codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines.Starting October 16, Qatar Airways will share code on China Southern’s three weekly direct flights between Beijing Daxing and Doha.Similarly, China Southern will be expanding its ‘CZ’ code on Qatar Airways-operated flights beyond Doha to 15 destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. China Southern will further extend its code to flights between Doha and four major Chinese cities of Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, subject to Chinese government approvals.Beijing Daxing marks the second Chinese gateway to be served with non-stop flights operated by China Southern Airlines. Beijing also connects with Doha through Qatar Airways’ daily flight along with Xiamen Airlines’ daily flight.With this frequency increase and codeshare expansion, Qatar Airways and its two strategic partners, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines, will now offer 64 weekly flights across eight gateways in Greater China.Besides aviation, Qatar and China have cultivated a strong and growing partnership on cultural and educational fronts, reflecting deep mutual respect and shared aspirations.The China Embassy in Doha, in collaboration with Hamad Bin Khalifa University, have fostered academic collaboration and language learning programmes.On the cultural front, Qatar Museums and the National Museum of China are working together on joint exhibitions and cultural showcases. These joint efforts reaffirm the commitment of both nations to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding long-term strategic cooperation across key sectors.

Hamad International Airport has crossed a "record-breaking milestone" this August, serving over 5mn passengers in a single month for the "first time" in its history.This surge was achieved while maintaining the quality of every passenger’s journey, showcasing the airport as a bustling and rapidly growing hub that is resilient and steadfastly passenger centric.Hamad International Airport’s performance in August represents a 6.4% increase in passenger traffic compared to August 2024.Nearly 1.3mn of the 5mn passengers were point-to-point travellers, marking a 12% year-on-year growth in this category. This highlights the rising demand for direct travel from/to Qatar and showcases the strength of aviation as a key driver of the national diverse economy.The achievement for Qatar’s Hamad International Airport comes shortly after the release of the 2025 World Airport Traffic Dataset by Airports Council International (ACI) World, ranking the airport firmly among the world's busiest international airports.Drivers of Growth: Capacity expansion and strong airline partnerships have been central to this record. Qatar Airways increased frequencies to over 15 key destinations worldwide, providing enhanced connectivity through its hub.Other airlines partners also played a key role, with Virgin Australia launching new services to Doha, while Philippine Airlines and Air Arabia increased their capacity, offering even more travel options across regional and long-haul markets.Together, these developments have made traveling through Hamad International Airport smoother and more convenient for both transfer and local passengers.Passenger experience performance: The historic surge in volumes was matched by elevated passenger experience and consistently positive customer feedback.In August, passenger survey responses confirmed an impressive overall satisfaction score of 98%. Additionally, 92% of the survey participants rated the overall security processes at key touchpoints as excellent.With its expanding global network, strategic capacity investments, and customer-focused approach, Hamad International Airport continues to consolidate its position as one of the fastest-rising hubs in global air transport.

Hamad International Airport has facilitated a “smooth and efficient journey” for returning travelers as the summer holiday season concludes and the new school year commences.Using the car park for pick-ups: For picking up arriving passengers at the airport, HIA said it is advisable to use the parking facilities to ensure smooth traffic flow, enhance safety and convenience, and avoid penalties for parking at the curbside.Flexible travel options to the city: Upon entering the Arrivals Hall, several reliable transportation options are available to reach Doha.Ride-hailing services: Uber and Badrgo are available at the designated pick-up zone in the parking facility opposite the Arrivals Hall.Doha Metro: A short indoor walk leads directly to the Metro station, connecting travellers to key destinations across the city.Taxis and buses: Authorized taxis and buses are available at the dedicated pavilions on each corner of the Arrivals Hall, ensuring service quality, safety, and reliable lost-and-found support.Other Options: Car rental, limousine, and valet services are available at both Departures and Arrivals.Baggage collection: Collecting bags at the airport has been designed to ensure a smooth and convenient experience. Oversized items such as strollers and wheelchairs are delivered on dedicated baggage belts A and B.It is recommended that fragile belongings be packed in hard-shell luggage to prevent damage. Passengers should verify their baggage tags before leaving the airport. For assistance, the Baggage Services Office is in the Arrivals Hall.Immigration processes: E-gates provide a convenient method for completing immigration procedures swiftly. Eligible travellers arriving in Doha, including families with children taller than 130cm, can utilise the service for a more efficient arrival experience.Hamad International Airport is dedicated to ensuring that the final step of the journey for returning travellers to Doha is simple, safe, and stress-free. This commitment allows passengers to focus on settling back in and preparing for the season ahead.