The Many Gates Of Hamad International Airport

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, is a modern airport with state-of-the-art facilities. The airport has a total of three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3, with 41, 10, and 33 gates, respectively. Terminal 1, the largest terminal, serves major airlines such as Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Emirates. The airport has a unique public mosque within its premises and is known for its distinctive architecture, including wave-styled roofs. The airport's capacity has expanded over the years, with ongoing and planned developments, to accommodate the increasing passenger volume.

Hamad International Airport's terminal system

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, is known for its modern architecture and state-of-the-art facilities. The airport has one main terminal, Terminal 1, which is divided into five concourses: A, B, C, D, and E. Terminal 1 is the largest terminal with 41 gates, while Terminals 2 and 3 have 10 and 33 gates, respectively. The concourses are connected by a central building, and passengers can easily walk between them in approximately 5-10 minutes. Additionally, a free shuttle bus service operates 24/7 between the concourses, providing convenience for passengers with limited mobility or heavy luggage.

Concourse A, located west of the check-in area, has 10 passenger gates, two of which are designed to accommodate the Airbus A380. Concourse B, located east of the check-in area, also has 10 passenger gates, with two gates built for the Airbus A380. It opened on April 30, 2014, with 10 airlines transferring operations from Doha International Airport. Concourse C has 24 passenger gates, with two dedicated gates for the Airbus A380, and 44 remote gates without a fixed jet bridge link. Concourses D and E are expected to open in 2025, with a possible Concourse F also in the plans.

The terminal system at Hamad International Airport is well-designed and allows for easy navigation between terminals. The walking time between concourses is approximately 5-10 minutes, and clear signage is provided throughout the terminals to assist passengers in finding their way. Information desks are also available in each terminal for additional assistance. The airport provides a seamless travel experience for its passengers, offering a variety of amenities, including dining, shopping, and lounge options.

The airport has undergone several expansion projects to accommodate the increasing passenger volume. In 2015, an expansion plan was announced, which included extending the check-in area and expanding concourses D and E. The airport is designed to handle a projected increase in traffic, with an initial annual capacity of 29 million passengers and a future capacity of 93 million passengers per year, making it the second-largest airport in the region.

Concourses and their gates

Hamad International Airport has one main terminal, Terminal 1, which is divided into five concourses: A, B, C, D, and E. The concourses are connected by a central building, and passengers can easily walk between them in approximately 5-10 minutes. Additionally, a free shuttle bus service operates 24/7 between the concourses, providing convenience for passengers with limited mobility or heavy luggage.

Concourse A

Concourse A has 10 passenger gates connected to jet bridges and is located west of the check-in area and Main Terminal. Two of the gates, A01 and A10, are designed to accommodate the Airbus A380. The gates are numbered as A1 and from A3 to A11. Services at Concourse A include a quiet room, toilets, telephones, a smoking room, wheelchair assistance, moving walkways, a prayer room, computer areas, shops, and food and beverage options.

Concourse B

Concourse B also has 10 passenger gates connected to jet bridges and is situated east of the check-in area. It opened on April 30, 2014, with 10 airlines transferring operations from Doha International Airport. Similar to Concourse A, two of the gates, B01 and B10, are built to accommodate the Airbus A380. The gates in Concourse B are numbered from B1 to B10. Amenities available at Concourse B include shops, food and beverages, a quiet room, toilets, telephones, a smoking room, wheelchair assistance, moving walkways, a prayer room, an information point, and computer areas.

Concourse C

Concourse C is the largest of the five concourses, boasting 24 passenger gates connected to jet bridges, with two of them, C12 and C13, built specifically for the Airbus A380. Additionally, there are 44 remote gates without a fixed jet bridge link connected to Concourse C. This concourse is located north of the check-in area, with gates on two levels. Level 1 has gates named from C1 to C13, while Level 0 features gates from C20 to C29. Concourse C offers a range of services, including a children's play area, lifts, a quiet room, toilets, telephones, shops, food and beverages, a smoking room, wheelchair assistance, moving walkways, a prayer room, an information point, and computer areas.

Concourse D and E

Concourses D and E are the two smallest concourses, both located in the northern part of the check-in area, forming a "V" shape at the end of Concourse C. They each have four gates on the first floor, numbered from 1 to 4, and five gates on the ground floor, numbered from 20 to 24. These concourses are currently undergoing expansion, with plans to link them together, which will significantly increase the airport's capacity.

Services and facilities at each concourse

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, is known for its modern architecture and state-of-the-art facilities. The airport has three terminals and five concourses (A, B, C, D, and E). Each concourse offers a range of services and facilities to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience for its passengers.

Concourse A:

Concourse A, located west of the check-in area, offers a variety of amenities for travellers. This concourse has ten passenger gates, two of which are designed to accommodate the Airbus A380. Passengers can find a quiet room, toilets, telephones, a smoking room, wheelchair assistance, moving walkways, a prayer room, computer areas, shops, and food and beverage options. The gates are numbered from A1 to A11, with gates A3 and A4 currently unnumbered.

Concourse B:

Concourse B is situated on the east side of the check-in area and also offers ten passenger gates, with gates B1 to B10. Similar to Concourse A, two of these gates are built to accommodate the Airbus A380. Passengers can access a small coffee shop, smoking rooms, family areas, an express duty-free store, a quiet room, toilets, telephones, wheelchair assistance, moving walkways, a prayer room, an information point, and computer areas.

Concourse C:

Concourse C is located north of the check-in area and has a total of 24 passenger gates connected to jet bridges, with two gates built specifically for the Airbus A380. Additionally, there are 44 remote gates without a fixed jet bridge link connected to this concourse. Passengers can access a children's play area, lifts, a quiet room, toilets, telephones, shops, food and beverages, a smoking room, wheelchair assistance, moving walkways, a prayer room, an information point, and computer areas. The gates on Level 1 are numbered from C1 to C13, while Level 0 has gates from C20 to C29.

Concourse D and E:

Concourses D and E are located in the northern part of the check-in area, forming a "V" shape at the end of Concourse C. They each have four gates on the first floor (D1-D4 and E1-E4) and five gates on the ground floor (D20-D24 and E20-E24). These concourses are currently under expansion, with plans to increase the airport's capacity to accommodate more passengers. The expansion will include a new passenger amenity area with lounges, shops, and restaurants.

The airport's expansion plans

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, has been undergoing expansion since 2019, with the second phase of construction beginning in January 2023. The airport's developer, HIA, announced the expansion plan in October 2019, aiming to increase the airport's capacity and enhance its reputation as a destination gateway.

The expansion is being carried out in two phases: Phase A and Phase B. Phase A, which began in 2020 and was completed in November 2022, involved the construction of a central concourse connecting concourses D and E. This new concourse, named ORCHARD, features a 10,000m² indoor tropical garden with a 268m² water feature, reminiscent of the Jewel complex at Singapore Changi Airport. The concourse also includes a column-free, grid shell roof with performance glass, controlling and filtering light for the various trees and plants in the garden. Additionally, Phase A added 11,720m² of retail, food and beverage space, housing over 65 luxury brands, and a 100-room Oryx Garden Hotel with spa, fitness and business facilities. Phase A was completed in time for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and included a new transfer area on Concourse C to reduce connection times for passengers.

Phase B of the expansion, which commenced in January 2023, will further extend concourses D and E, increasing the airport's annual passenger handling capacity to over 70 million. This phase will also add nine additional wide-body aircraft stands to the central concourse. The expansion project will deliver a modern look and enhance the overall passenger experience at Hamad International Airport.

The airport's expansion also includes the development of a new cargo terminal, increasing the cargo handling capacity to 3.2 million tonnes per year. The new cargo terminal, slated to be ready by 2023, will be a multi-level building with 85,000m² of gross floor area. Additionally, the expansion will feature a remote transfer baggage facility, enhancing the overall efficiency of baggage handling.

The Hamad International Airport expansion is a significant undertaking, with multiple contracting companies and joint ventures involved. The project aims to meet the growing demand for air travel, solidify the airport's position as a preferred gateway, and accommodate the growth of Qatar's national carrier, Qatar Airways.

Transport options to and from the airport

Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha, Qatar, offers a wide range of transport options for travellers to and from the airport. The airport is located 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) from the centre of Doha, which is approximately a 20-minute drive or a 15-minute metro ride.

By Metro

The Doha Metro Red Line connects HIA to the city centre, with the metro station located next to the West Short Term Car Park, a 5-minute walk from the terminal. The Red Line stops at Oqba Ibn Nafie, Al Matar Al Qadeem, Umm Ghuwailina, and Al Doha Al Jadeda stations before reaching Msheireb, where passengers can transfer to the Gold Line to reach Souq Waqif in the city centre. Popular destinations such as West Bay, DECC, Katara, and The Pearl-Qatar are directly accessible from the airport via the Red Line. Metro tickets can be purchased from ticket machines at the stations, and there are different types of travel cards available, including Limited Use (free), Standard (10 QAR), and Gold (100 QAR).

By Bus

Public bus services are also available, with Bus Route 747 (operating from 04:50 to 23:50 hours) and Bus Route 777 (operating from 05:00 to 23:00 hours) connecting the airport to the city centre. Buses depart every 20 minutes, and the fare is 3.00 QAR for Bus 747 and 5.00 QAR for Bus 777. Bus 747 serves multiple locations in central Doha, including Al Ghanim Bus Station near Souq Waqif. Bus 777 provides connections to Katara Cultural Village and The Pearl-Qatar, with several stops in the city centre. The bus station at HIA is located on the right-hand side outside the Arrivals hall.

By Taxi

Taxis are available at the airport and can be booked through various partner websites. The taxi ride from the airport to the city centre typically takes around 20 minutes.

By Car

Travellers can also opt to hire a car or use chauffeur-driven limousine services to get to and from the airport. HIA offers ample parking spaces for those who choose to drive their vehicles.

Frequently asked questions