Doha’s Hamad International airport (HIA) has completed the first phase of its airport renovation and expansion project.
The newly renovated airport can now accommodate 58 million passengers annually and features additional lounges, retail and F&B options, as well as a new transfer hall and indoor garden.
The new installations at the airport include Orchard – an indoor tropical garden located at the center of the terminal. The Orchard includes over 300 trees and more than 25,000 plants sourced from sustainable forests around the world.
The completion of the first phase is also expected to reduce overall waiting time, thanks to the new transfer hall on concourse C (Transfer Hall C).
Qatar Duty Free has meanwhile unveiled a brand new offer at HIA’s expansion which includes over 65 retail and dining outlets spread across its three levels. F&B options as part of the HIA expansion includes over 20 cafes and restaurants. The retail and F&B offer at the expansion features many world firsts and exclusives, including a Fendi Boutique with the first Fendi Café in an airport, and the first Ralph’s Coffee Shop in an airport. The North node also houses the world’s first Oreo Café in an airport.
The enhanced retail offer also includes a selection of luxury boutiques such as the first Dior Boutique at HIA, the only FIFA shop in the world, Thom Browne’s only store in an airport, the largest Ray Ban store in an airport, and a lineup of prestigious brands such as a flagship boutiques of Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Tiffany, and Bvlgari, among others.
HIA has also launched the second airport hotel within its transfer area, the Oryx Garden Hotel. Located in the north plaza, the 100-room hotel focuses on sustainability, with rooms ranging from king to twin, as well as suites located close to the boarding gates.
Guests at the Oryx Garden Hotel can use the passenger train to visit the Oryx Airport Hotel in the south plaza should they want to use its spa, fitness centre, 25-metre swimming pool or squash court.
As part of the expansion project, HIA has four brand new lounges for passengers including Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden, Al Mourjan Business Lounge – North, Platinum and Gold lounge – North and Silver Lounge – North.
The airport has managed to have four of its expansion projects achieve a four-star rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) from Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD). This includes the Orchard, Oryx Garden Hotel and north plaza lounges, Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden and the Remote Transfer Baggage Facility.
The second phase of the airport’s expansion will commence early next year and will further increase the capacity of the airport to over 70 million passengers. It will involve the construction of two new concourses within the existing terminal.
