It seems new airports seems to be jinxed with problems, with Berlin Brandenburg Airport being one that springs to mind. Another airport that has managed to shrug off delays is Doha’s Hamad International Airport.
Hamad International Airport (previously known as New Doha International Airport) has had a string of delays, but is seemingly almost ready to receive passenger planes now (the airport is receiving cargo service already).
The airport is configured with two runways, with the ablity to handle to 29 million annual passengers at its opening, made up of three concourses
New launch dates have been set, with the following set:
- Soft Launch – 30th April
- Full Opening – 27th May
The first carriers to move over from Doha International to Hamad International include Bangladesh Biman Airlines, flydubai, Air Arabia, Iran Air, Air India Express, Yemenia, Pakistan International Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Syrian Air and Pegasus Airlines.
Qatar Airways will be looking to move in to the new airport once lounges and most of the facilities are complete. Additional airlines should join the carriers at Hamad airport from the 27th May as operations from Doha International Airport are wound down.
In terms of distance, the two airports aren’t that far away from each other – about 4 miles. This should aid passengers who require onward ground transportation.
How the launch goes will be the interesting part. New airports and terminals have been ridden with problems in the past – hopefully Hamad International Airport should avoid some of these with a phased opening.
They put all their low volume “junk” airiines first to do their beta testing!