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Doha, Qatar, has two large airports adjacent to each other to the southwest of the city. Hamad International Airport, which opened in 2014, is located just four to five kilometres east of Doha International Airport, which opened in 1959. Hamad International Airport was designed to accommodate the increasing volume of air traffic, with an initial capacity of 29 million passengers per year, three times that of Doha International Airport. The older airport ceased commercial operations in 2014 but remained open, and was later reopened for commercial flights in 2022 to cater to the increased demand during the FIFA World Cup.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports | 2 |
| Names of airports | Hamad International Airport, Doha International Airport |
| Year of opening of Hamad International Airport | 2014 |
| Year of opening of Doha International Airport | 1959 |
| Airport replaced | Dukhan Airport |
| Distance between the two airports | 4-5 kilometres |
| Passenger capacity of Hamad International Airport | 29 million |
| Passenger capacity of Doha International Airport | 12 million |
| Current status of Doha International Airport | Closed for commercial flights but reopened for 2022 FIFA World Cup |
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What You'll Learn
Hamad International Airport opened in 2014
Hamad International Airport (HIA) is Qatar's new airport, which opened in 2014. It is located next to the city of Doha and the Arabian Gulf. The airport is named after the previous Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and is about 4 kilometres from the older Doha International Airport.
Hamad International Airport was originally scheduled to open in 2008, but after a series of costly delays, it eventually opened on 30 April 2014, with a ceremonial Qatar Airways flight. Cargo operations began on 1 December 2013, and passenger operations commenced on 30 April 2014, with ten initial airlines operating. Qatar Airways and the remaining airlines started full operations on 27 May 2014 at 09:00 (Qatar time).
The airport is designed to be a gateway to the world, with a capacity of over 360,000 flights and 30 million passengers annually. The airport features two runways, with the western one being the eighth longest in the world at 4,850 metres. The passenger terminal is Qatar's largest building at 600,000 square metres, and the check-in hall offers a spacious 25,000 square metres of column-free space. The airport is designed with an aquatic theme, with many buildings featuring a water motif, such as the passenger terminal's wave-styled roof.
The opening of Hamad International Airport in 2014 marked a significant change in size, scope, and standards for aviation in Qatar. The older Doha International Airport, which had served the country admirably since the 1960s, faced challenges with expansion due to a lack of available land. With the rapid growth of Qatar Airways and increasing demand, a new airport with more capacity became necessary.
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Doha International Airport is still in use
Doha International Airport (DIA) was Qatar's commercial international airport until Hamad International Airport (HIA) opened in 2014. DIA opened in 1959, replacing Dukhan Airport, which was built in the 1930s. Over time, DIA suffered from overutilisation, despite being expanded numerous times.
In 2003, planning started for a new state-of-the-art airport, and construction began in 2005. HIA was designed to cater to a projected ongoing increase in the volume of traffic. The new airport is located four kilometres east of DIA. It covers 2,200 hectares of land and was able to handle 29 million passengers per year on its opening day.
On 27 May 2014, all scheduled commercial air traffic serving DIA moved to HIA. The last commercial flight departing from DIA was a Lufthansa plane returning to Frankfurt. However, DIA never closed and remained open, continuing to be 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.
In 2022, DIA was temporarily reopened for passenger traffic to relieve congestion at HIA during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The airport welcomed commercial flights again on 15 September 2022, for selected airlines to handle increased traffic for the World Cup. It was used by at least 13 airlines, including Etihad Airways, Flydubai, Pegasus Airlines, Jazeera Airways, Pakistan International Airlines, and SalamAir.
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Hamad International Airport was built to accommodate increased aviation volume
Doha, the capital city of Qatar, is served by two large international airports—Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport. Hamad International Airport was built to accommodate increased aviation volume.
Doha International Airport, which opened in 1959, was Qatar's primary commercial airport until the opening of Hamad International Airport in 2014. As Qatar Airways expanded its fleet and operations, Doha International Airport experienced significant growth, attracting more passengers, including holidaymakers and transit travellers. By 2010, it was the 27th busiest airport in the world by cargo traffic. However, the airport faced challenges due to overutilisation, and expansion options were limited due to a lack of available land.
To address the increasing aviation demand and overcome the constraints at Doha International Airport, the planning for a new state-of-the-art airport began in 2003. Construction of Hamad International Airport commenced in 2005, located just five kilometres east of Doha International Airport. The new airport was designed with significant expansion capabilities and the capacity to handle a much larger volume of passengers and aircraft movements.
Hamad International Airport features two parallel runways, allowing for simultaneous take-offs and landings. The airport's initial annual capacity was 29 million passengers, triple the volume of its predecessor. Upon completion, it is expected to handle 93 million passengers per year, making it the second-largest airport in the region. The check-in and retail areas are also designed to be much larger, catering to the increasing passenger traffic.
The construction of Hamad International Airport demonstrates Doha's commitment to accommodating the growing aviation industry and ensuring a seamless travel experience for passengers. With its expanded capacity and modern infrastructure, the airport is well-equipped to handle increased traffic, solidifying Doha's position as a prominent aviation hub in the region.
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Doha International Airport was replaced due to expansion difficulties
Doha International Airport (DIA) was replaced by Hamad International Airport (HIA) due to expansion difficulties. DIA was inaugurated in 1959, replacing the secondary hub for the Bahraini-based Gulf Air, Dukhan Airport, which was 80 kilometres away from Doha. DIA was the main base of Qatar Airways, which expanded rapidly, leading to the airport's growth and an increase in passengers.
By 2010, DIA was the world's 27th busiest airport by cargo traffic. The airport had been expanded numerous times to cope with the increasing number of passengers, but by the end of the 20th century, it was over 70 years old and in need of significant upgrades. The lack of available land meant expansion would be difficult, especially the inability to add a second runway.
The planning for a new airport began in 2003, and construction started in 2005. HIA was built just 5 kilometres east of DIA, allowing for significant future expansion. HIA was designed with Qatar Airways in mind and has an initial annual capacity of 29 million passengers, three times the volume of DIA. Upon completion, it will be able to handle 93 million passengers per year, making it the second-largest airport in the region after Dubai.
HIA was inaugurated on 30 April 2014, with all other carriers, including Qatar Airways, formally relocating on 27 May 2014. DIA ceased all commercial operations but remained open, serving executive and business flights. With the 2022 FIFA World Cup, DIA was refurbished and reopened to cater to excess demand.
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Both airports were used for the 2022 World Cup
Doha, Qatar, is a city with two large international airports—Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport—which are adjacent to each other. Both airports were used during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by Qatar.
Hamad International Airport is the newer of the two airports, located just 2.5 miles east of the former facility, and it covers 2,200 hectares of land. The airport was opened for passenger service on 30 April 2014, with cargo operations beginning a few months earlier. All scheduled commercial air traffic serving Doha International Airport moved to Hamad International Airport on 27 May 2014.
Doha International Airport, the older airport, opened in 1959, replacing Dukhan Airport. It was Qatar's commercial international airport until Hamad International Airport opened in 2014. While commercial flights ceased in 2014, the airport remained open and continued to be used by the Air Force and some private companies.
With the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar reopened Doha International Airport to cater to the excess demand during the tournament. The airport was refurbished and reopened specifically for the World Cup, with the retired airport expected to handle additional passengers during the event. Jazeera Airways, Flydubai, SalamAir, and Pegasus were among the airlines that confirmed their flights to the reopened airport.
Hamad International Airport also underwent an expansion project in preparation for the World Cup, aiming to serve 58 million passengers a year. The expansion included an indoor tropical garden, and the airport was expected to be able to handle 70 million passengers annually after the tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
Hamad International Airport was built to replace Doha International Airport, which was struggling to keep up with the rapid expansion of Qatar Airways.
Doha International Airport opened in 1959, replacing Dukhan Airport, which was built in the 1930s.
Hamad International Airport opened on 30 April 2014, with all other carriers formally relocating to the new airport on 27 May 2014.
Hamad International Airport has an initial annual capacity of 29 million passengers, three times the volume of Doha International Airport. Upon completion, it will be able to handle 93 million passengers per year.
Hamad International Airport is much larger than Doha International Airport and has a lot more facilities.
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