A fine result despite the restrictions that continued to hit the air transport industry in 2021. This is how we can describe the performance of theHamad international airport (HIA) in Qatar. The airport is the second biggest hub in the Middle East behind eternal rival Dubai. In 2021, HIA recorded a 41.37 % increase in passenger numbers compared with 2020.. For a total of 17.7 million passengers.
But we're still a long way from the record set in 2019Hamad International welcomed 38.79 million passengers. Aircraft movements also rose by 28.12 %, representing almost 170,000 take-offs and landings.
The airport currently serves a total of 156 destinations. Last year, the airport benefited from eight new passenger destinations and a new airline, RwandaAir. Dhaka, Male, Dubai, Kathmandu and London are among the busiest destinations in 2021.
Beyond the World Cup
The airport is gearing up for an intense year, culminating in holding the Football World CupFIFA Qatar 2022™. According to Badr Mohammed Al Meer, the airport's Chief Operating Officer, "The airport recognises the importance of the World Cup for the fans arriving, many of whom are travelling across the world to attend the event. We are delighted to welcome them with the unrivalled experience they deserve. A dedicated terminal will handle the departures and arrivals of FIFA teams and delegates.
Even if Doha's traffic in 2021 represented only 46% of that in 2019, the airport continues to invest in its future with a new airport expansion coming on stream this year. La phase Awill increase the airport's capacity to more than 53 million passengers a year. It includes, among other things, a garden and a mini-tropical forest. Phase B, which will begin after FIFA 2022 Qatar™, will further expand the terminal. The latter will have over 60 million passengers.
On the shopping front, Qatar Duty Free recently opened "Viale Del Lusso", dedicated to luxury fashion. This avenue includes the first Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Jimmy Choo and Valentino shop in a Middle Eastern airport. And the world's first airport Emporio Armani Ristorante and Emporio Armani Caffè. These new products should consolidate the title of "World's Best Airport 2021", ranked number one by the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2021.
