Satyendra Pathak
Doha
As part of its operational preparations to welcome millions of visitors for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, MATAR, the Qatar Company for Airport Operation and Management, on Thursday announced the commencement of the Passenger Overflow Area at both Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Doha International Airport (DIA) – operating from November 17 until December 31, 2022.
Set to offer fans extended memorable experiences and seamless connectivity throughout both airports, the passenger overflow area at DIA will be able to welcome up to 12,000 departing passengers per day. Qatar’s HIA has the capacity to accommodate 24,000 passengers per day.
The passenger overflow areas will only be accessible for passengers arriving at HIA and DIA more than four hours and up to eight hours prior to their scheduled departure flight time – regardless of the airlines with which passengers are flying.
Commenting on the announcement, HIA COO Engr Badr Mohammed Al Meer said, “The commencement of the passenger overflow area at both HIA and DIA will offer our visitors a remarkable chance to experience the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at dedicated premises. Curated for all departing passengers, the overflow area is part of MATAR’s initial airport operations plan set to improve overall flow at both airports and accommodate thousands of visitors at any given time throughout the tournament.” On the expected number of visitors arriving at both airports during the tournament, Al Meer commented: “We are expecting to receive approximately 44,000 arriving passengers per day and upwards of around 900 aircraft movements daily.” The passenger overflow areas at both HIA and DIA will be operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week – and will include a variety of food and beverage options, retail stores, gaming areas, football pitches for children, quiet areas, luggage storage, a lost and found desk, flight information screen, a free WI-FI activation area and more.
Departing passengers can access the overflow area at HIA by taking a shuttle bus from the airport’s metro station. To access the overflow area at DIA, passengers can either take a Taxi to the facility or use public transportation to the Al Matar Al Qadeem metro station.
The passenger overflow area does not include check-in service desks, so travellers can either check in online while at the premises or visit the check-in halls at HIA or DIA.
Since its inception in 2014, HIA has been working alongside MATAR to enhance its capabilities and facilitate passenger movement through MATAR’s airport operations plan – which has also been implemented by Qatar’s second international airport, DIA.
In 2022, HIA was once again named the World’s Best Airport for the second year in a row by the prestigious Skytrax awards. As the Official Airport Partner of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the facility looks set to welcome millions of passengers from across the globe to an extraordinary destination right in the heart of the Middle East.