HIA preparing for influx of departing passengers

Hamad International Airport (HIA), Qatar’s new world-class gateway to the world, is preparing for an influx of departing passengers during the winter season and celebrating Qatar National Day on Thursday.

To celebrate National Day, HIA will be decorated in this year’s theme of a traditional dhow. The images throughout the state-of-the-art airport will show the cultural significance of the dhow and Qatar’s history of the dhow as used in pearl diving.

HIA will be distributing special, themed gifts for younger passengers and will have a dedicated photography area set up behind the world-famous Lamp Bear by Urs Fischer, where passengers can have their photo taken next to a traditional dhow model.

To ensure passengers have an enjoyable and relaxing time at the airport during National Day, HIA is advising passengers to arrive at the airport three hours before their flight departure time and that check-in will close 60 minutes prior to departure. To save time at the airport, Qatar Airways and many other airlines operating from HIA offer passengers online check-in.

Badr al-Meer, chief operating officer, HIA, said: “We at HIA are delighted to be celebrating our first National Day in our superb new facility. As passengers from Qatar and all over the world travel for National Day and the festive season, this is a great opportunity for us to showcase Qatari hospitality, and we would like to wish everyone safe travels and a happy National Day.”

Members of the public dropping off and collecting passengers are advised that HIA offers free parking for the first 30 minutes in the short-term car park. The short-term car park is charged at QR5 per hour after the first 30 minutes.

Free parking can be found in the long-term car park for passengers who drive their own car to the airport. The long-term car park provides a bus ride to the bus terminal at HIA. All unattended vehicles parked on the kerb side throughout the HIA facility will be towed away by the authorities.

Passengers looking for further information on the airport, flights and airline operations can now visit www.dohahamadairport.com, or alternatively check for updates via HIA’s new social media channels including; Twitter (@HIAQatar), Facebook (Hamad International Airport) and Instagram (HIAQatar).