The second phase of the airport's development will enable it to handle 50 million passengers, giving it an hourly capacity of 15,000 passengers compared with 8,700 passengers at present. The number of aircraft docking directly at the terminal will rise from 41 to 65. And according to the CEO of Qatar Airways, the company is already working on the third phase of the airport, the plans for which have been entrusted to the famous British architect Sir Norman Foster. The second terminal should double the airport's surface area and enable it to handle 100 million passengers. "We should be making the design of this expansion public within the next few months," said Akbar Al Baker. "Our new airport opened 11 months ago. And I'm pleased to say that our hub offers a level of service never before seen in an airport. We offer a true first-class airport experience, with a swimming pool, fitness centre and squash courts, as well as an impressive range of shops, restaurants and facilities for our passengers. At 10,000 m2, our business lounge is one of the largest in the world", says Al Baker. The expansion of the terminal is accompanied by the opening of Qatar Airways' new First Class lounge. Delayed on several occasions, the lounge will offer the ultimate in luxury and will be reserved exclusively for Qatar Airways First Class passengers. Oneworld Emerald passengers will continue to use the Al Mourjan Business Lounge, which is also open only to oneworld Business and Première passengers.
