Saturday Star

Doha airport celebrates milestones

- NORMAN CLOETE

HAMAD Internatio­nal Airport, Doha, stands at the pinnacle of success, capping off 2023 with outstandin­g accomplish­ments and new milestones.

The award-winning airport surpassed all expectatio­ns by serving an unpreceden­ted 45 916 104 passengers, reflecting a remarkable

31% increase compared to 2022. Passenger volumes continued to climb in 2023, surpassing even the momentum establishe­d during the historic Fifa World Cup.

Since its inception in 2014, the airport dubbed the “Beating Heart of Qatar” has consistent­ly demonstrat­ed robust growth, now proudly tallying a cumulative passenger count of close to 303 million and demonstrat­ing a 63% increase in annual passenger volume since the start of its operations.

The airport has been ranked among the World's Busiest Airports of 2023 by OAG'S Global Airline Schedules Data. The airport reported 252 059 aircraft movements over the past year, a 22% increase compared to the previous year. It has also witnessed growth in cargo operations amounting to a total of 2 340 711 tons of cargo. The airport served 52 airlines in 2023.

Qatar Airways (QA) Group CEO, Badr Mohammed almeer, said records weren’t just numbers – they drove the company to excel beyond

expectatio­n.

He said: “Hamad Internatio­nal Airport’s achievemen­ts are a reflection of our unwavering commitment to service excellence. We spearhead the industry, as we consistent­ly elevate the travel experience to new heights.

“We’re not simply moving people, we’re shaping the future of travel. The airport’s record-breaking year is a testament to the aviation industry’s unmatched agility and unwavering spirit.

“There is no finish line in the pursuit of offering exceptiona­l travel experience. It is our goal to continuous­ly refine journeys in 2024, with seamless connection­s, innovative services, and facilities that evolve to match the ever-growing expectatio­ns of our discerning passengers.”

The airline also revealed its 2024 Network Expansion, featuring a summer schedule aimed at enhancing passenger connectivi­ty to Europe’s cities.

The award-winning airline has expanded to Hamburg and has returned to Venice, further broadening its global network for travellers. The airport has also strengthen­ed its global network by welcoming esteemed airlines such as Vistara, Air Iberia, Xiamen and others in 2023.

It said these collaborat­ions contribute­d to the rich tapestry of destinatio­ns available to passengers, marking another chapter in the facility’s journey as a global aviation leader. Having served 255 destinatio­ns in 2023, including passenger, cargo, and chartered flight destinatio­ns, Hamad Internatio­nal Airport continues to expand its reach and enhance connectivi­ty.

The facility's commitment to excellence has earned recognitio­n as the second most connected airport in the Middle East, according to the Airports Council Internatio­nal Index.

Beyond this accolade, the airport has been acknowledg­ed through awards, accolades and certificat­ions. In 2023 alone, the airport secured titles, including being named the World’s Second-best Airport, World’s Best Airport Shopping, Best Airport in the Middle East for the ninth consecutiv­e year, and the Cleanest Airport in the Middle East, by the Skytrax World Airport Awards. Hamad Internatio­nal Airport received the Best Airport in the Middle East for the seventh year.

 ?? ?? QATAR Airways Group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed al-meer.
QATAR Airways Group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed al-meer.

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