If you’re planning to transit through the State of Qatar, it’s going to be a little more expensive, as Doha Airport (or Hamad International Airport) is seeking to impose a 35 Qatari riyal fee.
Wanna see this BearLamp? If you’re transiting or leaving Hamad International Airport in Doha – it’s going to cost you QAR35!
The Passenger Facility Charge of QAR35 (About USD10/£7.33/€8.59 which will be applied to all departing and transferring passengers (connecting within 24 hours) on all airlines.
The fee will be integrated into the ticket price.
Hamad International Airport follows Dubai and Abu Dhabi for imposing passenger surcharge fees. The airport states:
The charge is in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) principles and similar charges have been levied by a large number of airports around the world and have been also recently introduced by airports in the region. Even with the addition of the PFC, HIA’s overall airport charges are on the lower side internationally.
The fee will be applied for tickets issued from 30 August 2016 onwards for travel from 1 December 2016.
Are the exemptions to the fee? Not many I’m afraid. They include:
- This charge exempts infants under the age of two without a seat
- Transit passengers that do not require an aircraft change
- Involuntary re-routing.
Considering the majority of services at Doha terminal there (mainly as it’s Qatar Airways home base), there’s going to be little chance of getting out of the fee.
As traditional revenue sources are devalued (for example oil), the airport is now starting to fend for itself a bit more. With other airports in the region adding the fee, it was only a matter of time before Hamad International Airport followed.
For now, it’s another charge to lump onto your ticket.
Hopefully, they’ll spend a few of those pennies they pull in on an extra few signs at the airport. It’s a nice enough airport – don’t get me wrong, but the signs run out… at the exact moment you need to them to continue…
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