Qatar: Doha’s Hamad airport unveils expansion plans

Doha’s Hamad International Airport (HIA) has revealed plans for its second phase of expansion, which will be split into two stages—Phases A and B. Phase A will consist of the central concourse linking concourses D and E. Construction will begin by early 2020 and will increase the airport’s capacity from the current 30 million to more than 53m 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 60m passengers. “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,” Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said. “Plans for the phase two expansion focuses on capacity and passenger experience." "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,” HIA COO Badr Mohammed Al Meer said.<br/>“Our ultimate aim at HIA is to become a destination in our own right, not just a gateway.”<br/>