Tag Archives: Hamad International Airport

Hamad International Airport (DOH) welcomes Tajikistan carrier Somon Air, as it begins operations between Dushanbe and Doha. This inaugural charter service reflects the growing demand for tourism and business travel from Central Asia, including Tajikistan, to Qatar. The inaugural flight from Dushanbe to Doha took place recently, marking a significant milestone for both Hamad International Airport and Somon Air. The first touchdown was commemorated in the presence of executive members of Hamad International Airport, representatives from Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Somon Air and officials from the Embassy of Tajikistan in Qatar, with a cake-cutting and welcome celebrations. The route is being served by a Boeing 737-800, configured with 189 seats, ensuring comfortable travel for passengers. Dushanbe is an exciting addition to Hamad International Airport’s expanding network, marking the airport’s eighth Central Asian destination, both scheduled and chartered. With a flight duration of approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes from Dushanbe to Doha, this new connection underscores the importance of enhanced bilateral relations between Qatar and Tajikistan. The route is expected to strengthen cooperation in cultural, humanitarian, economic, trade, and tourism sectors, further solidifying the ties between the two nations. Hamad International Airport remains dedicated to expanding its global reach, offering travellers new opportunities to experience the best of Qatar and beyond.

Hamad International Airport (DOH) has reported serving 13.7 million passengers in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, reflecting a robust 7.9 per cent growth compared to the same period last year. Point-to-point traffic also experienced growth by 11.7 per cent, contributing to the airport’s overall performance. The passenger traffic growth was driven by strong demand for air travel, with July marking the airport’s busiest month ever, handling 4,742,068 passengers followed by 4,717,885 passengers in August and 4,246,742 in September. In the Middle East, the key growth countries were Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain while in Europe, the growth was led by Spain, United Kingdom and Germany. China market grew by over 43 per cent compared to the previous year. The number of aircraft movements at Hamad International Airport reached 71,425 during Q3 2024, which is 6.2 per cent more that the same period in the previous year. This included 24,179 take-offs and landings in July, 24,329 in August, and 22,917 in September. This strong performance highlights the airport’s growing role as a major global aviation hub, handling increased volumes of air traffic with efficiency and precision.

Hamad International Airport (DOH) has demonstrated exceptional growth in the first half of 2024, witnessing a significant increase of 25% in passenger traffic. Additionally, its aircraft movement has grown by 19%, total number of bags handled has grown by 19% and cargo operations has increased by 12%, in comparison to the first half of 2023. Hamad International Airport welcomed 25.9 million passengers in the first half of 2024, a 25% increase compared to the first half of 2023. This includes a 22.1% increase in point-to-point passengers compared to the same period last year. Point-to-point refers to the passengers flying directly into and out of Doha, reflecting significant growth in the number of airline partners operating from the airport, and the flourishing tourism sector in Qatar. Hamad International Airport expanded its network this year by welcoming new airlines partners, including Japan Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, China Southern Airlines, and Akasa Air. This is in addition to Iberia, Xiamen Airlines and Vistara joining the airport’s network late last year. This expansion underscores the airport’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and providing more travel options for passengers and has significantly boosted tourism, fostered trade relationships and fortified business ties between Qatar and the global community. Hamad International Airport experienced a notable 12% growth in cargo operations, in terms of cargo tonnage, compared to the same period last year. The demand from and to the Middle East experienced a remarkable 45.3% growth, driven by the recovery of airline operations between GCC countries, particularly the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Traffic to and from Europe grew by 32.8%, supported by the launch of new destinations and increased capacity to existing destinations …

Hamad International Airport (DOH) announces the commencement of four weekly flights from Guangzhou to Doha by China Southern Airlines, further enhancing connectivity between China and Qatar. Commenced on 22 April, 2024, the route was operated by a Boeing B787-9 aircraft with a capacity of 203 seats from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) to Hamad International Airport (DOH). This new service by China Southern Airlines supplements Qatar Airways’ existing operations to seven major cities in China – Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xiamen, offering over 27,000 weekly seats to and from Doha through Hamad International Airport. This was following the codeshare announcement between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines in February this year. As one of China’s largest airlines, China Southern Airlines operates around 3,000 daily flights to more than 200 destinations globally. It joined Hamad International Airport as the second Chinese airline, following Xiamen Airlines, and marks the fourth airline to commence operations to the airport in 2024, after Akasa Air, Japan Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia. Commenting on the new partnership, Sujata Suri, Senior Vice President of Finance and Procurement at Hamad International Airport, said: “China is one of our strategic markets and plays a crucial role in the aviation and tourism industry. The commencement of China Southern Airlines’ flights to Hamad International Airport will bolster tradelines between both countries, cater to the anticipated growth in traffic movement and offer better connectivity for millions of travelers. This partnership will strengthen our position in becoming the preferred hub to connect China with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.” The extensive network between China and Qatar underscores the importance of robust connectivity to facilitate travel demand, as travel recovery is expected …

Under the partnership of Qatar Airways, Hamad International Airport (DOH) announces the commencement of daily flights from Jakarta to Doha by Indonesian airlines ‘Garuda Indonesia’, further enhancing connectivity between Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This strategic partnership with Garuda Indonesia complements Hamad International Airport’s existing extensive network in Southeast Asia through its national carrier Qatar Airways, which operates three daily flights to Jakarta, three daily flights to Bali, and three weekly flights to Medan. The operation also reflects the significant increase in flight frequency between Qatar and Indonesia. Sujata Suri, Senior Vice President of Finance & Procurement at Hamad International Airport, said: “The collaboration with Garuda Indonesia marks a pivotal moment in Hamad International Airport’s strategic expansion into Southeast Asia. Welcoming Garuda Indonesia to Doha not only strengthens Hamad International Airport’s position as a global aviation hub but also deepens ties with the Southeast Asian travel industry. This partnership highlights the airport’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial alliances that drive economic growth, enhance connectivity, and position it as the preferred gateway between Southeast Asia and the Middle East.” Meanwhile, Irfan Setiaputra, President & CEO of Garuda Indonesia says “We are very pleased to be able to add Doha to our extensive global network. There are strong business, tourism, and cultural ties between Indonesia and Qatar, and we believe this new service will further boost those activities between the two countries while offering easier access for travelers from Qatar to Indonesia, which is now one of the fastest-growing economic centers in the world. This new route marks a significant milestone for Garuda Indonesia as the national flag carrier of Indonesia, providing our passengers departing from Jakarta as the main hub …

Hamad International Airport (DOH) announced the commencement of daily operations by Japan Airlines, linking Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) in Japan with Hamad International Airport in Qatar. The inaugural flight, operated with a capacity of 203 seats, marks the first-ever flight to the Middle East by a Japanese airline – signifying a historic moment in the aviation industry. Commenting on this historic partnership, Sujata Suri, Senior Vice President of Finance and Procurement at Hamad International Airport, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Japan Airlines to the Middle East through its renowned hub in Doha. The launch of Japan Airlines’ daily flights from Tokyo Haneda to Hamad International Airport is a landmark achievement and a testament to the flourishing partnership between both Qatar and Japan. Combining Japan Airlines’ latest launch with Qatar Airways’ recent resumption to Osaka, is projected to result in a 50% increase in weekly flight frequency between Qatar and Japan, which underscores Hamad International Airport’s commitment to advancing global travel and enhancing passenger experiences”. “Our new Doha service is the first direct flight to the Middle East operated by a Japanese airline. It perfectly complements JAL’s global network and enables customers to seamlessly connect to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America through our partnership with Qatar Airways, a member of the same oneworld alliance as JAL,” said Ross Leggett, Japan Airlines Managing Executive Officer, Route Marketing Senior Vice President. “The demand for business and leisure travel from Doha to Asia continues to grow, and we are excited to offer JAL’s renowned five-star service and unique approach to hospitality to even more travellers,” Leggett added. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori said: “We are very pleased to …

Qatar Airways welcomed Iberia’s first non-stop flight to Doha, Qatar from Madrid, Spain. Iberia’s new daily service complements Qatar Airways’ two daily flights between the capital cities of Spain and Qatar and three daily flights between Barcelona and Doha. These services expand on our commitment to the Spanish market and support our joint ambition to expand the world’s largest airline joint business between Qatar Airways, British Airways and Iberia. This addition, further cements the Skytrax “Best Airport in the Middle East”, Hamad International Airport (DOH), as a gateway to the world. Through Madrid, London and Doha, the three strategic partners offer unparalleled connectivity to more than 200 destinations in Asia, Australasia, the Middle-East and Africa, with the most efficient transfers through their five-star hubs. Whether travelling from Madrid to Bali, Sydney to Ibiza, Lisbon to Maputo, or Doha to Malaga, the combined networks will provide fast and reliable itineraries to all passengers. “As part of the unique partnership between Qatar Airways, British Airways and Iberia, passengers can enjoy the best service on the ground and in the air, while seamlessly connecting to their favourite destinations. The unique partnership between Qatar Airways, British Airways and Iberia offers more customers even greater flexibility, choice and value, and today’s inaugural flight reinforces Qatar as a destination of choice in the region, and Hamad International Airport as a global gateway.” Passengers transferring through Hamad International Airport are treated to a vast array of offerings that transform the transit experience into a seamless journey. Serving as a diverse lifestyle destination, the airport caters to all passenger profiles, ensuring a personalised and enjoyable visit. Offering a plethora of dining and shopping options to numerous spaces for …

Hamad International Airport (DOH) maintains its performance through Q3 of 2023, reporting a substantial 26.84% increase in passenger traffic compared to the same period last year. This achievement builds upon a display of consistent growth, with a 44.5% increase in Q1 and a 24% increase in Q2. During Q3, Hamad International Airport welcomed a total of 12,706,475 passengers –with 4,305,391 passengers in July, 4,398,427 passengers in August and 4,002,657 passengers in September. The airport’s skies also bustled with activity as it reported 67,285 aircraft movements within this period, which is a 24.48% increase compared to the previous year. It had 22,598 aircraft movements in the month of July, 22,909 in August and 21,778 in September. Cargo operations at Hamad International Airport also saw significant growth in the third quarter, with 3.38% increase – amounting to a total of 590,725 tons of cargo. These numbers underscore the airport’s significance in the global logistics chain. It handled 194,268 tons of cargo in July, 195,773 tons in August and 200,683 tons in September. Some of the busiest destinations contributing to Hamad International Airport’s success in this quarter included well-established hubs such as Heathrow, Bangkok, Colombo, Cairo and Manila. The airport also experienced substantial growth in destinations including Guangzhou and Hangzhou in China, Al Qassem in Saudi Arabia, Gatwick in the United Kingdom and Denpasar Bali in Indonesia. The Qatar’s airport’s commitment to expansion is apparent in the introduction of new and resumed destinations. Lyon and Toulouse in France are the latest additions to the facility’s extensive list of connections. Additionally, flights to Birmingham, Chengdu and Chongqing have been resumed. The airport has also maintained successful airline partnerships in Q3 with a total of …

Hamad International Airport (DOH), in partnership with Atos and Royal Schiphol Group, introduces Passenger Digital Assistance Kiosks to enable seamless journeys for travellers. The kiosks will provide easy access to information, assist in navigation and help passengers through live video calls to customer service agents. Commenting on the new passenger experience, Mr. Suhail Kadri, Senior Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Hamad International Airport said: “The new Passenger Digital Assistance Kiosks are part of our overarching digital strategy to transform passenger experiences. We are committed to investing in the latest technology and innovative solutions; to create the most seamless airport experience for all passengers traveling from and to Hamad International Airport, we are working with industry innovation leaders such as Atos and Royal Schiphol Group.” Marc Veelenturf, CEO of Middle East and Turkey at Atos said: “Together with our strategic partner Schiphol, we are proud to have successfully delivered this solution at Hamad International Airport to improve the digital passenger experience, and to manage passenger flow more effectively especially during the airport’s critical peak periods.” The kiosks are multilingual with 20 language options, with the airport map for wayfinding. They provide information related to flights, airport services, retail and F&B outlets and passenger events at the airport. Hamad International Airport will continue to add new and strong partnerships to its portfolio with the aim to introduce innovative solutions and advanced technologies, as part of its commitment to being the industry leader, setting the benchmark for the airport industry and expanding beyond traditional solutions, to deliver an exceptionally memorable passenger experience for all travellers.

The Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council’s flagship program, Qatar Open Innovation (QOI), has recently announced three Innovation Opportunities in collaboration with MATAR. Through Innovation Opportunities, QRDI Council has partnered with MATAR, the Qatar Company for Airports Operation and Management, to drive innovation within Qatar and tackle major asset management challenges. the launch of three innovation challenges aimed at finding groundbreaking solutions to critical issues faced by the aviation and sustainability industries. Playing a critical role in managing and operating Hamad International Airport (DOH) since the facility’s inception in 2014, MATAR continues to elevate the aviation industry with its renowned forward plans and investments – winning multiple awards and accolades in the process. Mrs. Haya Al-Ghanim, RDI Program Director at QRDI Council, commented: “Here at QRDI Council, our mission is to support the sustainable management of Qatar’s innovation echo systems through research and technological solutions. Our vision aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Second National Development Strategy is to create a locally empowered, globally connected RDI ecosystem that propels Qatar’s social and economic future.” “We are excited to collaborate with MATAR and announce the first three of these pioneering challenges, which aim to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities, enhance customer experience in car parking facilities, and enable predictive management capabilities for asset intensive industries. Together, we are shaping a brighter and more inclusive future for Qatar and beyond,” she added. Suhail Kamil Kadri, Senior Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Hamad International Airport, said: “We stand at the intersection of digital innovation crafting a future that elevates the industry and customer experience. Through our collaboration with QRDI Council, our vision resonates with Qatar’s commitment …