Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha, Qatar, was officially opened in April 2014.
HIA replaced Doha International Airport as Qatar’s main airport, taking over all commercial flights. The Doha International Airport was subsequently closed to most passenger traffic.
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HIA is now the primary hub for the five-star airline Qatar Airways and serves as the main international gateway to Qatar.
Formerly known as the new Doha International Airport, HIA was developed and is operated by the Qatar Company for Airports Management and Operation, also known as MATAR. The company is responsible for overseeing the airport’s operations, management, and development.
The airport is designed to accommodate Qatar’s growing air traffic needs and to meet a projected demand for additional international passenger capacity in the region. HIA serves more than 360,000 flights and 30 million passengers annually.
The airport currently serves more than 170 destinations worldwide.
Hamad International Airport background and details
The project started in early 2004 with a detailed planning and design phase.
Work continued in 2004 with a large-scale land reclamation project since more than half of the area of the new airport was constructed on land reclaimed from the sea, amounting to 10.9 square miles (28.23km²).
The land reclamation required more than 62 million cubic metres of fill requiring four large dredgers to complete the project. The reclamation was completed in early 2005 and the reclaimed area required 13km of armoured seawall to protect the construction. The removal of 6.5 million cubic metres of household waste from a dump to a remote-engineered landfill was constructed according to environmental standards.
The airport development project began in 2005 and was planned to be completed in multiple stages due to its massive scale. The first phase, which opened in 2014, included the construction of two runways, a terminal building, and other key infrastructure to accommodate initial operations.
The second phase of the development includes HIA expansion projects. The expansion includes an additional 16 contact gates alongside an extension of the terminal building. This development incorporates a suspended monorail system to facilitate passenger movement throughout the terminal. Upon completion, the enhanced terminal will support more than 50 million passengers annually, manage 320,000 aircraft movements, and handle up to two million tonnes of cargo.
Hamad International Airport Phase I details
HIA includes an expansive passenger terminal, spanning 600,000m² (6.4 million square feet), complemented by a separate terminal for the Emir of Qatar, a general aviation terminal, and a cargo terminal. The maintenance centre, covering 150,000m², is equipped to service a wide range of aircraft.
Phase I of the airport’s construction saw the completion of two world’s longest commercial runways, measuring 4,850m and 4,250m, respectively, both capable of accommodating the Airbus A380-800 superjumbo. In June 2011, Terminal B, a dedicated departure facility, was inaugurated to enhance passenger flow.
The three-storey terminal building features 350,000m² of floor space, including a substantial 25,000m² dedicated to retail. The terminal is further supported by seven remote gates and eight hardstand aircraft parking bays. Accessibility is facilitated by three major road interchanges, connecting the airport to the city and beyond, with 17km of roads within the airport precinct.
The 9,100m² Emiri terminal features a distinctive multi-layered, arch-shaped curved design akin to a yacht sail, and a 1,700m² parking area. This terminal is designated for the exclusive use of the royal family and VIPs during state visits.
Passenger comfort is a priority, with a five-star luxury hotel and a three-star transit hotel on site. The cargo terminal, centrally located and covering 48,000m², boasts a 15m clearance and ranks among the top 20 largest cargo terminals globally. The hangar space can accommodate two A380-800s and three A340s while the maintenance centre includes mezzanine levels for upper deck access.
An automated storage and retrieval system enhances the passenger experience by efficiently handling up to 1,000 unit load devices (ULDs). The cargo facilities are equipped with high-bay storage, workstations for ULD load management, and specialised storage for hazardous materials, valuables, and temperature-sensitive goods such as food and medicine.
Additionally, a two-storey car park for 1,409 vehicles and a mosque spanning 2,000m², with a 47m diameter, 13m height, and an accompanying 37m-high minaret was also constructed. An automated people mover was also developed.
In November 2019, the airport inaugurated the Shafallah Center Lounge in Concourse C, enhancing special handling services at the terminal.
Central maintenance hub for Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways relocated its headquarters and training facilities to the maintenance complex at the new Doha airport. The first phase allows the airport to serve two A380-800 superjumbos at the same time.
The airport is the central maintenance hub for Qatar Airways’ international fleet. Located in the midfield area, it can handle eight wide-body and four narrow-body aircraft, including two A380s.
The base features a single large hangar containing heavy and light maintenance bays. The column-free design of the hangar’s interior ensures flexible aircraft parking and optimal maintenance efficiency.
The workshop building at the back of the aircraft hangar bays provides specialised maintenance and automated spare parts storage. This includes specialist workshop areas for the maintenance of engines, avionics, wheels and brakes, structures, interiors, painting, galleys, in-flight entertainment systems and safety equipment.
Airport design and air traffic control at HIA
The design of the roof structure makes it a landmark in international aviation. The roof has a wave-like structure. The transparent facade of the terminal beneath the roof emphasises the roof’s curves.
The terminal’s undulating stainless-steel roof is finished with a new non-reflective coating to eliminate glare and enhance energy efficiency.
The elevated crescent-shaped 85m-high air traffic control (ATC) tower, topped by a glazed control room, allows central control, between the two parallel runways and airside facilities. There is also a training room that can double as a control room in case of emergencies.
Advanced airport systems at HIA
The baggage system is monitored through an automated baggage handling system (BHS) using radio frequency identification devices (RFID). It also augments the in-line security system, which incorporates CTX level three for explosive detection.
The airport system is connected by a fibre-optic backbone system, and the airport operational database to enable further need of additional cabling. Air traffic controllers monitor activities using high-resolution LCD monitors.
The terminal features a digital automated terminal information service system (D-ATIS) and general display system, supplied by Terma.
Airport technology at HIA
The terminal features moving walkways to facilitate passenger transit. The building is equipped with CO₂ and heat occupancy sensors to adjust air regulation based on the number of passengers present.
More than 100 check-in desks are outfitted with ARINC iMuse common-use terminal equipment (CUTE) while ARINC has also established the data exchange infrastructure essential for airport-wide communication.
For continuous runway safety, three Tarsier radar systems operate around the clock to detect any foreign objects that could pose a risk to aircraft.
The terminal’s e-gates are designed to identify passengers 24 hours before their flight, enabling the monitoring of individuals who may pose a security threat as they enter or exit the country.
In 2014, a new security vehicle was introduced, enhancing the capability of security personnel to detect weapons, drugs, and explosives, thereby bolstering the effectiveness of security measures.
In June 2023, HIA introduced the innovative digital twin platform, which leverages machine learning and AI to streamline complex data analysis. This advancement promises to revolutionise operational efficiency through more effective and informed decision-making processes.
Contractors involved
The contract for the first phase of the airport construction and the planning and design phase was awarded to Bechtel Group, an engineering company. Bechtel provided engineering, project management, and construction management services.
Takenaka, an architectural engineering company, was awarded a 24-month construction contract worth Y27bn ($4.34bn) to build the Emiri terminal in May 2006. It also constructed a car park and associated facilities.
ARINC and Thales were awarded a $75m contract for the IT, telecommunications and security systems at the airport in May 2007. ARINC integrated the security systems of the airport by January 2013. Both ARINC and Thales were involved in project design and management.
UK defence contractor QinetiQ provided Tarsier, a radar-based runway debris detection system.
Smiths Detection, a threat detection and screening solutions provider, was awarded a €100m ($132.59m) contract to provide security scanning equipment, which includes automatic X-ray and trace detection.
TransCore, a transportation solutions provider, designed and installed an RFID-based parking and vehicle terminal access control system at the airport in 2012.
HIA signed an agreement with AXA Power to supply ground power units to support the onboard aircraft auxiliary power unit when aircraft are parked.
The digital twin platform is implemented by HIA and its business partner SITA, an IT solutions provider for airports.
