Qatar To Set Up New Airport

US$ 2 Billion Plus Invested In First Phase

Qatar is all set to provide a spectacular first impression to business visitors and tourists with a spanking new airport that will cost a massive US$ 2 billion plus in just the first phase alone. Half of the project will be reclaimed from the sea. Said Akbar Al Baker, chief executive officer of Doha International Airport and Qatar Airways, "The new Doha International Airport will be designed to be one of the best airports in the world. For a visitor, the first point of contact with Qatar is generally the airport - and it is our driving priority to ensure that the best-ever facilities will welcome first-time and return visitors. The new airport will set the benchmark for all future airports. It will be an international signature for the vision of Qatar."

The construction of the new state-of-the-art Doha International Airport will commence next year. It will have two parallel runways with an estimated capacity to handle and process nearly 12 million passengers every year.

The Terminal would have 24 contact gates in the first phase and would be able to accommodate up to six A380-800 Super Jumbos when fully developed. The complex will also include three high star classification hotels for the convenience of visitors.

"Importantly, the new airport will position Doha and Qatar as a leading regional aviation hub for at least the next 50 years. The airport will also be pivotal to the continued significant growth of Qatar Airways as a global airline. The new airport will also able us to offer our passengers fast and efficient connections as we build a route network of at least 60 destinations by 2005 end," said Al Baker.

The new airport will also be one of the world's first airports to be designed and built specifically for the Airbus A380-800, the world's largest passenger aircraft. The airport will be developed in three stages, with work onsite to start in the middle of 2004 and final completion by 2015 of the ultimate development.