What do tourists need to be prepared for when traveling to the capital of Qatar? Doha, whose airport has recently been unable to cope with a huge passenger flow, acquired a new hub in 2014. And those people who have already been to Qatar before may not recognize the place of their landing. The old international airport was called “Doha”. The new one, built five kilometers to the south, bears the proud name of Hamad (Hamad International Airport). But unofficially, the name "New Doha Airport" has firmly stuck to it. The old hub with the launch of Hamad was closed. So now all aircraft arriving in Qatar land on one of the two lanes of the new air harbor. About what services you will find at Hamad International Airport and how to get from it to the city, we will tell in this article.
Construction
The need for a new hub was first discussed in 2003. Then the city of Doha became very popular for travelers. Its airport could no longer cope with passenger traffic. The construction of the hub began in 2005. The new air harbor was promised to be put into operation in 2009. But the air harbor accepted its first flight only on April 30, 2014of the year. By the end of May, all liners of Qatar Airways, the largest air carrier in Qatar, were stationed at the new Hamad Airport. Why did it take so long to build this air harbor? The flow of passengers traveling to Doha or transiting through this city has grown year by year. Therefore, they decided to build a new air gate of Qatar with a distant calculation. Now Hamad can take three hundred and twenty aircraft and fifty million passengers a year at the same time. For comparison, we present the following facts. The old hub of Doha passed through only nineteen million travelers annually. The liners accept two lanes. One of them, nearly five kilometers long, is the longest in the Middle East.
Doha City, Hamad Airport
The air harbor is located just ten kilometers southeast of the capital of Qatar. This distance can be covered by taxi. But do not rush to get into the car of the official carrier Karwa Taxisare. This is quite an expensive pleasure. Just for landing, the counter will wind you up to seven dollars. It is better to take a regular taxi. In this case, a trip to the center of Doha will cost you only three dollars. If you have a hotel booked in Doha, ask the property about pickup. Many hotels send free buses to the airport for their clients. If you have an international driver's license, you can rent a car right at Hamad Airport. In the arrivals halls you will find offices of numerous companies that provide car rental of various classes - from budget torepresentative.
Service
Now consider the services provided by the New Doha Airport. The scheme of this air harbor is simpler than it seems at first glance. Its area is five hundred acres. From the window of the plane, upon landing, Hamad appears in the form of an air liner. And in front of a weary traveler, it opens up like a magical tropical garden. And it's in the middle of the desert! All seasoned tourists assure that Hamad overshadowed the magnificence of the old Doha air harbor. How is this possible? After all, there were several air-conditioned waiting rooms in beautiful terminals connected by passages. Doha airport even had two mosques - male and female. Not to mention the many shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels. During the construction of Hamad, all the small flaws that passengers complained about earlier, when the old air harbor - Doha, functioned, were taken into account. Qatar Airport now provides free Wi-Fi in the gate area. Everywhere there are fountains with drinking water, toilets. All signs are in capital letters, so it is almost impossible to get lost at the airport. For passengers with children, a more comfortable waiting area for flights is provided. For a certain amount, everyone can relax in the lounge or VIP room.
City of Doha: airport, reviews
What do tourists who recently arrived in the capital of Qatar say? The airport causes exceptionally laudatory responses. The hub is large, spacious and very beautiful, like an oasis in the desert.staff helpful and hospitable. Pre-flight and post-flight procedures are surprisingly fast here. The terminal has several restaurants, cafes, post and bank branches, duty-free shops, a VAT refund point.
