Qatar Airways has today commenced full operations at its new hub at Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha.
With the first Qatar Airways commercial flight QR1113 from Bahrain landing at HIA at 09:10 local time, all operations for all airlines have now been transferred to HIA.
The first commercial flight of Qatar Airways touching down at Hamad International Airport“The moment we have all been building towards for many years arrived today as QR1113 touched down, marking the historic start of our full operations at the world-class Hamad International Airport,” said Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker.
“This is yet another milestone in the rich history of Qatar Airways, and one that will allow us to fully realise our ambitions, and to offer our passengers the very best of services, both in the air and on the ground.”
Hamad International Airport was due to open in 2012 but has been dogged by numerous delays, resulting in its opening being postponed a few times.
Cargo flights have been operating at the airport since earlier this year.
The airport is expected to accommodate 28 million passengers, increasing to 50 million beyond 2015.
Al Baker added: “Qatar Airways will be able to offer an exceptional passenger experience, as HIA has been designed with passengers foremost in mind.
“The airport will also be able to accommodate the world’s largest aircraft, such as our much-anticipated Qatar Airways Airbus A380 which will commence operations to the UK in June and France in July.”
Qatarairways.com