
Hamad International Airport, formerly known as New Doha International Airport, is the main airport for the city of Doha, the capital of Qatar. The airport was opened in 2014 and covers 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) of land. It has one terminal and two runways, with the western runway being the eighth longest in the world. The airport was designed to handle 29 million passengers per year initially, but this is expected to increase to 50 million. Hamad International Airport has been described as one of the most luxurious airports in the world, with various amenities and facilities for passengers.
What You'll Learn
Hamad International Airport is Doha's main airport
Hamad International Airport was constructed to cater to a projected ongoing increase in the volume of traffic. The airport has an initial annual capacity of 29 million passengers, which is three times the capacity of the former airport. However, the airport's capacity is expected to increase to 50 million passengers per year. The airport covers 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) of land and is built over 36 square kilometres (14 square miles), half of which is on reclaimed land. The airport has two runways, with the western one being the eighth longest in the world at 4,850 metres. The airport's maintenance hangar is the largest in the world and can accommodate up to 13 aircraft simultaneously.
Hamad International Airport features a range of amenities and facilities for passengers. The check-in hall offers a spacious 25,000 square metres of column-free space and includes 138 check-in counters. The airport also boasts a variety of lounges, including the Oryx Lounge and the Qatar Airways Gold Lounge. For business-class and first-class passengers, the Al Mourjan lounge provides a luxurious and exclusive experience. The airport also features a full-service restaurant, bars, casual dining options, sleeping booths, private family rooms, a games area, business meeting facilities, prayer rooms, and a nursing area for new mothers.
The airport has received recognition for its architectural design and luxurious offerings. In 2021, Skytrax awarded it a 5-star rating, and it was named the world's most luxurious airport by CNN. The airport's design incorporates an oasis theme, with many buildings featuring a water motif and wave-styled roofs.
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It covers 2,200 hectares or 36 square kilometres
Hamad International Airport, which opened in 2014, covers 2,200 hectares or 36 square kilometres. It is located in Doha, Qatar, and is the main airport for the city. The airport was built to handle a projected increase in traffic volume and had an initial annual capacity of 29 million passengers, which is three times the volume of the previous airport. The airport has two runways, with the western one being the eighth longest in the world at 4,850 metres. The airport's maintenance hangar is the largest in the world and can accommodate up to 13 aircraft at once.
The airport was designed to be a global aviation hub and is known for its luxurious amenities. It features a sports facility, an Oryx Hotel with 100 transit rooms, a restaurant with a private room, a bar, casual dining options, sleeping booths, prayer rooms, a nursing area, and business meeting facilities. The check-in and retail areas are 12 times larger than those at the previous airport, and the baggage handling system can process 5,000 bags per hour.
The airport's terminal and concourses were designed by the architecture firm HOK, and the contract for development was awarded to Bechtel. The construction of the airport faced controversy due to investigations by Human Rights Watch and the International Trade Union Confederation, which concluded that slave labour was significantly used in the construction process.
The airport has undergone expansions to accommodate increasing passenger traffic, including an extension of the check-in area and the addition of a new passenger amenity area. It was named the 50th busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic in 2016, and it continues to experience significant growth in annual passenger volume.
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It has a capacity of 30 million passengers per year
Hamad International Airport, which opened in 2014, is the main airport for the city of Doha, Qatar. It was designed to handle 29 million passengers per year initially, but it can now accommodate 30 million passengers annually. This capacity is expected to increase to 50 million in the future.
The airport is built over 36 square kilometres (14 sq mi), with half of it on reclaimed land. It has two runways, with the western one being the eighth longest in the world at 4,850 metres. The airport's 600,000-square-metre passenger terminal is Qatar's largest building, featuring a 25,000-square-metre check-in hall with 138 counters. The baggage handling system can process 5,000 bags per hour or 120,000 per day.
Hamad International Airport is known for its luxurious amenities, including posh hotel rooms, boutiques, a swimming pool, and art displays, and a variety of dining options. The airport also features a sports facility and the Oryx Hotel, offering transit accommodation for passengers. The airport's design incorporates an oasis theme, with many buildings featuring a water motif and wave-styled roofs.
Before Hamad International Airport opened, Doha International Airport served as Qatar's commercial international airport. Doha International Airport opened in 1959 and was replaced by Hamad International Airport in 2014.
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The airport is built on reclaimed land
Hamad International Airport, Qatar's new airport, opened in 2014 next to the city of Doha. The airport is built on 36 square kilometres (14 sq mi) of land, half of which is on reclaimed land.
The new airport was constructed because, by the end of the 20th century, Doha International Airport (DIA) was over 70 years old and in need of major upgrades. However, a lack of available land meant that expanding DIA would be difficult. Planning for a new airport began in 2003, and construction started in 2005.
The new airport is located four kilometres (2.5 miles) east of the former facility. It covers 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) of land and was able to handle 29 million passengers per year when it first opened. The airport has two runways, one of which is the eighth longest in the world at 4,850 metres. The airport's passenger terminal is 600,000 square metres, making it Qatar's biggest building.
The airport has been designed with an oasis theme, with many buildings featuring a water motif and wave-styled roofs. The airport has been recognised for its luxurious design, with CNN describing it as "the world's most luxurious airport".
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It's one of the world's most luxurious airports
Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, is one of the world's most luxurious airports. The airport, which opened in 2014, has been described as the "most architecturally significant terminal complex in the world" and has snagged the honour of being named Skytrax's World's Best Airport for 2024. The airport's innovative design takes its inspiration from the Arabian Gulf's gentle waves, drawing up to 58 million travellers into its dramatic light-infused spaces.
The airport is built over 36 square kilometres (14 sq mi), half of which is on reclaimed land. It is spread over an area of 3,600 hectares (9,000 acres) and initially had an annual capacity of 29 million passengers, three times the volume of its predecessor, Doha International Airport. Hamad International Airport is expected to be able to handle 93 million passengers per year upon completion, making it the second-largest airport in the region after Dubai. The airport can currently welcome 30 million passengers a year, a number that is soon expected to increase to 50 million.
Hamad International Airport has a wide range of luxury retail stores, including more than 130 shops and 45 dining options. It also has an on-site Oryx Airport Hotel with a full-service spa and 82-foot pool. The airport's maintenance hangar is the world's largest, accommodating up to 13 aircraft at once, and its baggage handling system can process 5,000 bags an hour, or 120,000 a day. The check-in hall alone is 25,000 square metres of airy, column-free space, with 138 check-in counters, 14 of which are styled as private booths for Qatar Airways First Class passengers.
The airport has two runways, the western one being the eighth longest in the world at 4,850 metres. Every hour, 100 take-off and landing movements are possible, equating to five planes every three minutes. The airport is also known for its numerous water features, which add to the sense of comfort and tranquility throughout the facility.
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Frequently asked questions
The Doha International Airport (DIA) covers 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) of land. However, due to its age, it was replaced by the Hamad International Airport in 2014, which is spread over an area of 3,600 hectares (9,000 acres).
Hamad International Airport initially had an annual capacity of 29 million passengers, which is expected to increase to 50 million in the future.
Hamad International Airport's capacity of 29 million passengers is three times that of the old Doha International Airport, which could handle only 9 million passengers annually.
The passenger terminal at the Hamad International Airport covers 600,000 square meters, making it the largest building in Qatar.