Doha Airport unveils brand new terminal

Doha International Airport has unveiled its new Doha Arrivals terminal. The new terminal is part of an ongoing expansion project at Doha International Airport, underway in order to cope with the the huge increase in travel to Qatar.

Over the past three years the airport has nearly doubled in size and now handles more than 15 million passengers a year.

Doha International Airport CEO Akbar Al Baker said that the opening of the new terminal was a necessary measure while construction on the massive US$14.5 billion New Doha International Airport (NDIA), which is scheduled to open in  2012 was ongoing.

“With the pace of development in the State Of Qatar increasing exponentially, the new Doha Arrivals terminal and other improvements will sustain the existing airport’s expected growth in passenger numbers until the time comes when we move all these operations to New Doha International Airport in 2012.

“The existing Doha International Airport is well prepared to handle this interim period of growth and we are also planning ahead to the future to ensure a smooth transition when the new airport becomes operational,” he said.

The new terminal features extra immigration counters, e-gates and baggage belts, a duty-free retail experience, numerous hotel transfer desks, a Qtel kiosk, a café restaurant and a Premium Arrivals lounge for Qatar Airways First and Business Class passengers.

Work will now begin on expanding the Departures & Transfers terminal to provide larger check-in and passenger facilities, as well as additional boarding gates and other amenities.