Just in time for the Asian Games Qatar Airways has inaugurated a $90m (”46m) passenger airport terminal dedicated to its first and business class travellers.
The 10,000 sq m luxury facility ” the world's first terminal to offer spa treatment rooms with Jacuzzis and saunas to passengers ” will in practical terms help relieve pressures on the existing infrastructure at the airport. Qatar Airways has seen an increase from 3.3m passengers carried in 2003, to over 6m this year. A completely new airport, on a site just 4km away, is due to open in 2009.
"We lacked a facility offering world-class services to our premium passengers. As the number of passengers in our business and first class increases with the arrival of new and larger carriers, we want to offer them the best available services," said Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker. He said the terminal can handle about 800 passengers per hour. It features exclusive check-in areas, duty free, conference rooms, a nursery, a clinic, and a spa area operated by UK-based specialists.