In preparation for the soft opening of Hamad International Airport (HIA) – Qatar’s brand new airport on 1st April 2013 – a series of advanced passenger trials have been taking place at the new facility.

More than 1,000 men, women and children have gone through the trials to test the operations of passenger facilities from check-in and immigration to aircraft boarding and arrivals.

Over the next few weeks, a further 2,500 people will go through trials to ensure a smooth and successful transition of operations of flights from the current Doha International Airport (DIA) to Hamad International Airport.

The advanced trials are a key milestone for HIA as it prepares for the historic opening.

Ten airlines will begin operating from Hamad International Airport on April 1st 2013, while Qatar Airways, the main user of the facility, will switch its entire operations from DIA to HIA by the end of the year.

Hamad International is a modern, state-of-the-art airport, which will be Qatar’s new gateway to the world.

Flights from the ten airlines will operate out of concourse B, and utilise the eastern runway, which is the larger of the two runways at HIA at just under 5,000 metres. 

Hamad International Airport

Positioned at the edge of the Arabian Gulf, Hamad International Airport’s tranquil waterside setting provides a perfect backdrop for its stylish architectural elements, underpinned by advanced airport systems.

Featuring two runways, among the longest in the world, a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower, a stunning passenger terminal with a design capacity of 28 million passengers per year, over 25,000 square metres of retail and food & beverage facilities and a uniquely shaped public mosque, these are some key aspects of the modern airport complex.