October 23 2019  |  Airlines & Airports

HIA outlines plans for its second expansion phase

By Hibah Noor


With airport capacity soaring to more than 60 million passengers annually, the phase two expansion will focus on capacity and passenger experience

Hamad International Airport (HIA) revealed plans for its second expansion phase to an international audience of real estate investors at Cityscape Qatar, which is taking place from October 22 – October 24 in Doha. HIA’s expansion project will highlight a spectacular 10,000 square meter indoor tropical garden in a central concourse and a 268 square meter water feature design, which will the focal point of the project. The flora for the indoor tropical garden will be brought in from sustainable forests from around the world.

The second phase of HIA’s expansion consists of Phase A and B. Phase A of the current expansion will comprise of the central concourse linking concourses D and E. Construction is to commence by early 2020 and will increase the airport’s capacity to more than 53 million passengers annually by 2022. Phase B, which will be completed after 2022, will extend concourses D and E to further enhance the airport’s capacity to more than 60 million passengers annually.

The expansion plan also includes 11,720 square meter of landscaped retail and F&B space, which will enhance the multi-dimensional offerings of the five-star airport by integrating a world-class art collection and refreshing environment of lush greenery with contemporary retail and dining concepts among other leisure attractions and facilities under one expansive terminal.

HIA will also deliver 9,000 square meter of world-class Al Mourjan lounge located above the retail space with dramatic views looking towards the tropical garden. The lounge will include additional spas, gymnasiums, restaurants and business centres as well as other passenger facilities.

His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, Qatar Airways Group, says: “The expansion of Hamad International Airport is a vital part of the future success of the Qatar Airways Group, and of course of the country’s preparations to host the 2022 World Cup and beyond. It is also a strong sign that Qatar’s economy is robust and acts as a further economic stimulus, providing excellent opportunities for local & international contractors.

Plans for the phase two expansion focuses on capacity and passenger experience – we want to provide even better airport journeys to more people around the world. The expansion will allow us to do this.”

Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer, HIA, comments: “Since we started our operations in 2014, it has been our goal to provide our passengers with a unique travel experience, keeping their needs as our top priority. The expansion will continue to redefine the airport experience, cementing HIA’s reputation as a destination gateway and critical international hub.

Our expansion has been designed to seamlessly integrate with the existing terminal, allowing smooth passenger flow and improving the overall passenger experience by minimizing travel distances for connections and providing clarity and intuitive wayfinding. The beautiful new landscaped spaces and water feature will allow our passengers to benefit from the calming effects of nature, thus improving their level of comfort while with us. Our ultimate aim at HIA is to become a destination in our own right, not just a gateway.”

The terminal building will be the first airport in the MENA region to achieve a 4-star Global Sustainability Assessment System rating, which is the first performance-based system in the MENA region that has been developed to rate the green buildings and infrastructures. The terminal will also be a LEED Silver certified building with innovative measures of energy efficiency across the entire building.

Other significant features include a new transfer area, which will help shorten passengers’ connection times and improve their overall transfer experience at HIA. Plus, the central concourse will accommodate nine additional wide-body aircraft stands.

HIA expansion will also see the construction of a new cargo terminal that will increase capacity handled to an estimated 3.2 million tons per year. The state-of-the-art terminal is slated to be ready by 2023 will be a multi-level facility with an 85 000 square meter footprint.

HIA was ranked as the fourth-best airport in the world and the best airport in the Middle East at the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2019, is now in its sixth year of operations. It has served over 187 million passengers at its state-of-the-art terminal since opening in 2014 to date. HIA is currently a candidate for “World Best Airport” for the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2020.

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