Doha's Airport Scenario: Two Operational Hubs

Doha, the capital city of Qatar, is served by two airports: Doha International Airport and Hamad International Airport. The former, which opened in 1959, was the country's commercial airport until Hamad International opened in 2014. Hamad International Airport is Qatar's only international airport today.

Doha's two airports are adjacent to each other, which is unusual

Doha, Qatar, is an unusual city in that it has two large airports adjacent to each other to its southwest. The original Doha International Airport, which opened in 1959, was replaced as Qatar's commercial international airport by the Hamad International Airport in 2014.

Doha International Airport was just five kilometres from the new airport site, and it was not designed to handle the volume of traffic that Qatar Airways' hub-based operating model brought. Passenger volume increased from around two million in 1998 to over 20 million by 2012. The new airport was designed with Qatar Airways in mind and allows for significant future expansion.

The new Hamad International Airport is owned by the Qatar government but operated by Qatar Airways. It has wide check-in aisles, abundant service desks, and a number of facilities for travellers. It also features high ceilings, art installations, and designer touches at every corner.

While all scheduled commercial traffic ceased at Doha International Airport, the airport site and existing runway are still used by the Qatar Emiri Air Force, Qatar Amiri Flight, Rizon Jet, Gulf Helicopters, and Qatar Aeronautical College. It also acts as a state/diplomatic airport catering to Qatar Amiri Flight and state-visit flights.

The old airport was originally planned to be demolished but was refurbished and reopened for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It temporarily reopened for passenger traffic in September 2022 to relieve congestion at Hamad Airport due to the World Cup.

Doha International Airport opened in 1959

Doha International Airport was Qatar's first commercial international airport, initially handling flights serving the city of Doha, with local traffic and workers for the oil and gas industry. When Qatar Airways started its service in 1994, Doha International Airport became its main base.

Over time, the airport expanded to accommodate the growing number of passengers. By 2010, it was the world's 27th busiest airport by cargo traffic, with a capacity of 12 million passengers per year. Its 4,570-metre (14,993 ft) runway was one of the longest at a civil airport.

However, as Qatar Airways continued to expand, the airport struggled to keep up with the volume of traffic. To address this, three new terminals were added, and plans were made for a new airport. In 2014, all commercial traffic was moved to the new Hamad International Airport, located just a few kilometres east of Doha International Airport.

Despite the opening of the new airport, Doha International Airport has never completely closed. While commercial flights ceased in 2014, the airport continued to be used by the Air Force and some private companies. It even temporarily resumed commercial operations in 2022 to accommodate increased traffic during the FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar.

Hamad International Airport opened in 2014

Doha, the capital city of Qatar, is an unusual case when it comes to airports. It has two large airports, Doha International Airport and Hamad International Airport, adjacent to each other to the southwest of the city. The new Hamad International Airport opened in 2014 to accommodate the dramatic expansion of Qatar Airways and the increase in aviation in the region.

Doha International Airport, which opened in 1959, was Qatar's main commercial airport until Hamad International Airport was inaugurated on 27 May 2014. Doha International Airport suffered from overutilisation, despite several expansions over the years. By 2012, passenger volume had skyrocketed to over 20 million, up from around two million in 1998. The capacity of Doha International Airport stood at 12 million passengers per year before the opening of the new airport.

Hamad International Airport, located just four kilometres east of Doha International Airport, covers 2,200 hectares of land. The new airport was designed with the needs of Qatar Airways in mind and allows for significant future expansion. It is owned by the Qatar government but operated by Qatar Airways. The airport boasts wide check-in aisles, abundant service desks, and a variety of facilities for both regional and international travellers.

The opening of Hamad International Airport provided much-needed relief to the congested Doha International Airport. On its opening day, Hamad International Airport was able to handle 29 million passengers per year, surpassing the capacity of its predecessor. The new airport also features stunning architecture, with high ceilings, art installations, and designer touches throughout.

The inauguration of Hamad International Airport marked a significant milestone in Qatar's aviation industry, providing a modern and efficient gateway for travellers to and from the country.

Hamad International Airport has a pool and spa

Doha, Qatar, is an unusual city in that it has two large airports adjacent to each other. The original airport, Doha International Airport, which opened in 1959, was replaced as the hub for Qatar Airways by Hamad International Airport in 2014.

The 25-metre pool offers panoramic views of the airport. In addition to the pool, the Vitality Wellbeing and Fitness Centre also offers a fully equipped modern gym, hydrotherapy tubs, and shower rooms. Squash courts, a golf simulator, and a range of spa treatments are also available at competitive rates. These include massages, aromatherapy sessions, beauty treatments, hydrotherapy, and hot stone treatments.

In addition to the Vitality Wellbeing and Fitness Centre, Hamad International Airport also offers the Be Relax Shower & Spa. This spa provides a range of relaxing services, including chair massages, nail treatments, manicures, pedicures, and facials. It is conveniently located in the central area after the security check and is open 24/7.

Doha International Airport was replaced by Hamad International Airport as Qatar's commercial airport

Doha, the capital city of Qatar, is served by two airports: Doha International Airport and Hamad International Airport. The former, which opened in 1959, was Qatar's commercial airport until Hamad International Airport opened in 2014.

Doha International Airport replaced Dukhan Airport, which was built in the 1930s and located 80 kilometres west of Doha. Over time, the airport was expanded numerous times to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and additional airlines. Doha International Airport was the main base of Qatar Airways, which was founded by the Qatari royal family in 1994. As Qatar Airways expanded, so too did the airport, which attracted more passengers, including holidaymakers and transit travellers. By 2010, it was the world's 27th busiest airport by cargo traffic. Despite these expansions, the airport suffered from overutilisation, and a new airport was planned to accommodate the increased volume of traffic.

Construction of Hamad International Airport began in 2005, just five kilometres to the east of Doha International Airport. The new airport was designed with Qatar Airways' model in mind and allowed for significant future expansion. It is owned by the Qatari government but operated by Qatar Airways. Hamad International Airport opened for passenger service on 30 April 2014, with all other airlines moving across first, followed by Qatar Airways on 27 May 2014.

While Doha International Airport closed to commercial flights from 27 May 2014, it has continued to be used by the Air Force and some private companies. The airport was refurbished and temporarily reopened for selected airlines during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by Qatar.

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