Doha International Airport prepares to open new arrivals terminal

Doha International Airport (DIA) is preparing to open its brand new Doha Arrivals terminal as the country’s only international airport expands to receive an increasing number of visitors to the State of Qatar.

The new Doha Arrivals terminal is a separate stand-alone facility to DIA’s current Main terminal and will handle all airport passengers arriving into the country.

Residents in Qatar will be familiar with the location of the Doha Arrivals terminal as the site of the temporary terminal erected for the Doha Asian Games in 2006, across the road from Qatar Airways’ Premium Sales office. The new facility is situated on C-Ring Road between VIP roundabout and Ras Aboud flyover and is designed to greatly enhance the arrival experience for people entering Qatar.

The Doha Arrivals terminal forms part of a multi-million dollar DIA re-development plan that will enable the airport to continue its efficient operation as it prepares for the opening of the New Doha International Airport, scheduled for 2012.

Features of the new Doha Arrivals terminal include an increased number of baggage belts, more immigration counters, Duty Free retail shopping, bus and taxi stands, and an enlarged meet and greet waiting area for those receiving passengers at the airport.

Frequent shuttle buses will provide passengers who have parked their vehicles at the Main Terminal – which will be renamed the Departure and Transfer terminal – with transport from the Doha Arrivals terminal on their return.

Soon after the new Doha Arrivals terminal becomes operational, work will begin on reconfiguring the existing arrivals terminal into an expanded Departure and Transfer terminal which will accommodate increasing passenger flows. The additional work will take several months to complete.

Doha International Airport is managed and operated by Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the changes were aimed at enhancing customer experience ahead of the opening of the New Doha International Airport.

 “Over the next few days, Doha International Airport and Qatar Airways will be providing more information on the new facilities to ensure passengers are fully aware of the significant changes taking place,” said Al Baker. “It was imperative for the continued development of Qatar that the existing airport infrastructure was expanded. The new Doha Arrivals terminal is the latest step in the infrastructure improvements to handle the influx of passengers through the airport ... We are eagerly awaiting the opening of the New Doha International Airport in 2012, which will provide an even better facility for the people of Qatar and for international travellers flying on Qatar Airways and other airlines.”

Qatar’s only international airport has received several upgrades since November 2006 when Qatar Airways’ exclusive Premium Terminal for First and Business Class passengers opened, and has subsequently seen the expansion of the airport’s Eastern Apron, including increased aircraft parking space, a dual carriageway perimeter road to the Main terminal, and the establishment of a new Satellite Transfer terminal.

In 2008, the main airport terminal was also upgraded with extra boarding gates added to accommodate the increased number of flights departing from Doha. Last year, the Premium Terminal was extended to provide additional space for the growth of the number of First and Business Class passengers flying with Qatar Airways.