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“Despite delays, which were a result of changes requested during construction to expand the project, as well as challenges we faced regarding some contracts, we are on track for a mid-year opening. “ |
The Steering Committee of the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) Chairman H.E. Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al-Noaimi |
QATAR. The opening of the eagerly anticipated Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha looks set to take place in mid-2014. The news emerged today in an update from the Steering Committee of the New Doha International Airport (NDIA).
NDIA Chairman H.E. Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al-Noaimi told journalists attending a press conference at the HIA Passenger Terminal in Doha that the airport is, “on track for a phased opening by mid-year 2014.”
Initially scheduled for completion in 2009, the US$15.5. billion project has seen previous planned launches – first in December 2012 and then in April 2013 – pushed back.
Al-Noaimi said the latest timetable is the result of changes requested during construction to expand the project, as well as challenges regarding some contracts. “We are on track for a mid-year opening. Through the work of many people, we have overcome the delays, and here today we are witnessing a major achievement of which Qataris will be proud for long years to come.”
Regarding the timing of the project, Al-Noaimi went on to say: “The third phase was intended for a 2015 start but we preferred to accelerate the process and integrate all construction phases to complete the entire project in a shortened time.”
Al-Noaimi added that further details of Airport City, which began construction in 2012, will be announced soon. HIA and Airport City span over 29sq km – 60% of which is built on land reclaimed from the Arabian Gulf.
Expanding on the reasons behind the changes, Al-Noaimi said they were necessary as the scale of the project has grown since its inception. “Due to increased transit growth in Qatar and the region in the past few years, these modifications were necessary to deliver an airport with a capacity of 30 million passengers on opening day,” he said.
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Members of the NDIA Steering Committee attended the press conference, including Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker (fourth from left), Nasser Al-Ansari, Ali Abdullah Al-Abdullah, Mohammed Abdul Kareem Al-Meer, Abdullah Khalifa M. Al-Assiri, Essa Arrar Al-Romaihi, Abdullah Jassim Al-Meraikhi and Saad Farhan Al-Otaibi |
Once opened, Qatar Airways and ten international airlines will fly out of HIA, including Air Arabia, Air India Express, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, flydubai, Iran Air, Nepal Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, RAK Airways, Syrian Air and Yemen Airways – operating out of Concourse B. In addition to Qatar Airways, another 19 airlines will continue to operate out of Doha International Airport.
“The opening of Hamad International Airport in the middle of this year will bring to fruition the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir, to build a world-class airport supporting the State’s development and prosperity, a vision that His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, was eager to complete through his support and guidance,” said Al-Noaimi. “HIA is a world-class aviation hub purpose-built to cater to rapidly evolving aviation and passenger needs of the 21st century.”
In his remarks, Al-Noaimi highlighted the need for such an airport facility in the region, which is experiencing growing passenger traffic, driven by world-scale events planned in the next decade such as Expo 2020 in Dubai and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The press conference also included a tour of the 100 building airport facility, including a 600,000sq m passenger terminal. When it opens, the airport will have three concourses and 41 contact gates that will be expanded to five concourses and 65 contact gates, including eight for the Airbus A380, in the final stage. The airport will feature a large number of shops and restaurants, recreational facilities and a large Islamic-architecture public mosque for 500 worshippers.
The airport will deliver close to 25,000sq m of commercial space, through Qatar Duty Free and its partners.
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The design of the new airport is influenced by the waves of the Arabian Gulf |
At last November’s MEADFA Conference, Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Keith Hunter (speaking on behalf of Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker) gave delegates a flavour of the retailer’s ambitious offer at the new hub, explaining how it has created a number of new concepts for it.
Al Baker’s speech, as delivered by Hunter, noted: “Travellers are seeking unique experiences, unique products and unique concepts. Understanding this is essential. This is why we have created our own brands. We are proud to be introducing concepts that are niche, and deliver a personalised shopping experience.
“These [concepts] have been created especially for the airport and have been created internally within our group, specifically with passenger needs and preferences in mind,” he said.
“The intent behind these concepts is to expand the offering that Qatar Duty Free can give to its customers. But rest assured – this is not in place of our existing product mix.
“It is simply about innovation; providing a unique alternative to the shopping experience which we will not necessarily be confined to the airport alone. These may in fact be concepts that make their way onto the streets of Doha, Dubai, or even Singapore or Los Angeles.”
He added that the core principles behind the model it will follow at the new airport will be to be personal, bespoke, inviting and luxurious, but not overbearing.
“We have created cafés, restaurants, lounges, all as stand -alone areas so that we provide an enjoyable experience that doesn’t even feel like you are in an airport.”
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Qatar Duty Free will run the retail operation at Hamad International Airport. Pictured above and below are renderings of the spectacular shopping offer that is planned |
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