Hamad International Airport (HIA) has revealed plans for its second expansion phase. The expansion will feature a spectacular 10,000sqm indoor tropical garden in a central concourse, as well as a 268sqm water feature that will be the focal point of the project.
The second stage of HIA’s expansion consists of Phases A and B. Phase A comprises the central concourse linking concourses D and E. Construction is to commence by early 2020 and will increase the airport’s capacity to more than 53 million annual passengers by 2022.
Phase B, which will be completed after 2022, will extend concourses D and E to further enhance the airport’s capacity to more than 60 million.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer, Hamad International Airport; Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker; and Mr. Omar Shahzad, Group Chief Executive, Meinhardt.
The expansion plan also includes 11,720sqm of landscaped retail and food & beverage space. This will integrate a world-class art collection and refreshing environment of lush greenery with contemporary retail and dining concepts, among other leisure attractions and facilities.
HIA will also deliver 9,000sqm of world-class Al Mourjan lounge located above the retail space with dramatic views looking towards the tropical garden. The lounge will include additional spas, gymnasiums, restaurants and business centres, as well as other passenger facilities.
“The expansion of Hamad International Airport is a vital part of the future success of the Qatar Airways Group, and of course of the country’s preparations to host the 2022 World Cup and beyond,” says His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive. “It is also a strong sign that Qatar’s economy is robust and acts as a further economic stimulus, providing excellent opportunities for local and international contractors. Plans for the phase two expansion focus on capacity and passenger experience – we want to provide even better airport journeys to more people around the world. The expansion will allow us to do this.”
H.E Mr Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of Commerce and Industry, with Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, and Engr. Badr Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer of HIA unveiling the HIA expansion model.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer, HIA, adds: “Since we started our operations in 2014, it has been our goal to provide our passengers with a unique travel experience, keeping their needs as our top priority. The expansion will continue to redefine the airport experience, cementing HIA’s reputation as a destination gateway and critical international hub.
“Our expansion has been designed to seamlessly integrate with the existing terminal, allowing smooth passenger flow and improving the overall passenger experience by minimising travel distances for connections, and providing clarity and intuitive wayfinding. The beautiful new landscaped spaces and water feature will allow our passengers to benefit from the calming effects of nature, thus improving their level of comfort while with us. Our ultimate aim at HIA is to become a destination in our own right, not just a gateway.”
Innovative energy efficiency measures
The terminal building will be the first in the MENA region to achieve a 4-star Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) rating, which is the first performance-based system in the MENA region, developed for rating green buildings and infrastructure. The terminal will also be a LEED Silver certified building with innovative energy efficiency measures across the entire facility.
Phase A of HIA’s expansion comprises the central concourse linking concourses D and E. Construction is to commence by early 2020 and will increase the airport’s capacity to more than 53 million annual passengers by 2022. Phase B, which will be completed after 2022, will extend concourses D and E to further enhance the airport’s capacity to more than 60 million.
The flora for the indoor tropical garden will be brought in from sustainable forests from around the world. Designers have developed a column-free, long-span 85m grid shell roof with performance glass to control and filter the light required for the trees to acclimatise to the internal conditions of the terminal and grow throughout the life of the airport.
Other significant features include a new transfer area which will help shorten passengers’ connection times and will improve their overall transfer experience at HIA, as well as the central concourse that will accommodate nine additional wide-body aircraft stands.
HIA expansion will also see the construction of a new cargo terminal that will increase capacity handled to an estimated 3.2 million tons per year. The state-of-the-art terminal is scheduled to be ready by 2023 and will be a multi-level facility with an 85,000sqm building footprint across three levels, as well as three mezzanine levels providing approximately 323,000sqm of gross floor area.
Hamad International Airport’s second expansion phase will feature a spectacular 10,000sqm indoor tropical garden in a central concourse.
