Chengdu, China: The much-anticipated opening of Qatar’s Hamad International Airport — a brand new state-of-the-art airport — is expected at the end of this year or early next year. Speaking at a press conference in Chengdu, China following a maiden flight to the city, the CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker attributed the delay of the opening to contractors failing to deliver on promises, but assured that Hamad International Airport would become a chief competitor for Dubai International airport as a hub that would connect all continents.
A distinguishing selling-point of the new airport is that it will offer shorter transfer times and allow transiting passengers the comfort of not having to change terminals, according to Al Baker.
Longest runway
Formerly known as New Doha International Airport, Hamad International airport is located just four kilometres from the existing Doha International Airport. The new facility will be the word’s first airport to accommodate unrestricted operations by all commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A380 — the largest passenger aircraft ever built. The 2,200-hectare airport site, more than half of which is built on reclaimed land from the Arabian Gulf, combines both architectural panache and technologically advanced systems. It will also have the world’s longest runway and biggest airplane hangar.
