The countdown is on: in a few weeks' time, the 1er On April 1, the new Doha airport will open its doors to the first airlines. "It seems like only yesterday that the foundation stone was laid in 2005," said Abdul Aziz Al Noiami, Director of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) on Tuesday. "Eight years later, we are only a few weeks away from writing the latest chapter in the airport's history with the start of operations. Twelve carriers - including several low-cost airlines - will then take up residence at the new ultra-modern hub, the fruit of an investment of around 11.6 billion euros (15.5 billion dollars). On 22 January, the Qatari authorities set out the details of this major step in the development of Qatar Airways and, more broadly, of the aviation market in the Gulf States. In practical terms, two airports will have to coexist for several months, until Hamad International Airport is fully operational in the second half of 2013. Qatar Airways, for its part, is expected to transfer all its operations to the new structure by the end of 2012. "As the operator and main user of the new Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways is looking forward to welcoming the first airlines and their first passengers," said the airline's CEO Akbar Al Baker, referring to "a new era for the country". Hamad International Airport will be able to handle up to 28 million passengers a year from its inauguration, a capacity that will be increased to 50 million by 2015.
