Initially planned to open in 2012 and later rescheduled for April 2013, Qatar’s new Hamad International Airport (HIA) is now set for a phased opening by mid-2014. Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al-Noaimi, chairman of the airport’s Steering Committee, explained that the delays stemmed from design changes made during construction to expand the project and from challenges encountered with certain contracts.
The $15 billion airport will debut with three concourses, 41 gates and an initial capacity to handle 30 million passengers annually. Qatar Airways will be a primary operator, joined by 10 international carriers: Air Arabia, Air India Express, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, flydubai, Iran Air, Nepal Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, RAK Airways, Syrian Air and Yemen Airways.
Once construction is finished, HIA is planned to feature five concourses and 65 gates. The completed facility will offer a wide range of passenger amenities designed for comfort and convenience, including 16 lounges, more than 100 dining and retail outlets, an on-site hotel, a luxury spa, a swimming pool, squash courts and a large public mosque with Islamic architectural elements that can accommodate up to 500 worshippers.
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