Why do you need to be prepared for tourists traveling to the capital of Qatar? Doha, whose airport recently could not cope with a huge passenger flow, acquired in 2014 a new hub. And those people who have already been to Qatar may not know the place of their landing. The old international airport was called - Doha. The new one, built five kilometers south, bears the proud name of Hamad (Hamad International Airport). But unofficially, the name "New Doha Airport" was firmly entrenched in it. The old hub with the launch of Hamad was closed. So now all the aircraft arriving in Qatar are landing on one of the two lanes of the new air harbor. We will tell you about what services you will find in Hamad International Airport and how to get from it to the city in this article.
Construction
For the first time, the need for a new hub was discussed in 2003. Then the city of Doha became very popular for travelers. His airport could not cope with the passenger flow. The construction of the hub began in 2005. They promised to put the new air harbor into operation in 2009. But the air harbor took its first flight only on April 30, 2014. By the end of May, all liners of Qatar Airways, Qatar's largest air carrier, were stationed at the new Hamad airport. Why did they build this air harbor for so long? The flow of passengers traveling to Doha or in transit through this city grew from year to year. Therefore, they decided to erect the new air gates of Qatar with a long calculation. Now Hamad can take three hundred and twenty aircraft and fifty million passengers a year at a time. For comparison, we cite such facts. Doha's old hub let only nineteen million travelers pass through each year. Liners take two lanes. One of them, almost five kilometers long, is the longest in the Middle East.
Doha City, Hamad Airport
The air harbor is located just ten kilometers southeast of the capital of Qatar. This distance can be covered by taxi. But do not rush to get into the car of the official carrier Karwa Taxisare. This is a rather expensive pleasure. Only for landing the counter will wind you seven dollars. Better to take a regular taxi. In this case, a trip to the center of Doha will cost you only three dollars. If you have a hotel booked in Doha, ask the property for a transfer. Many hotels send free buses to the airport for their customers. If you have an international driving license, you can rent a car directly at Hamad Airport. In the arrivals halls you will find the offices of numerous companies that provide rental cars of various classes - from budget to representative.
Service
Now consider the services provided by the New Doha Airport. The layout of this air harbor is simpler than it seems at first glance. Its area is five hundred acres. From the porthole of the aircraft, when landing, Hamad appears in the form of an air liner. And before a tired traveler, it opens like a magical tropical garden. And this is in the middle of the desert! All experienced tourists claim that Hamad overshadowed the splendor of Doha's old air harbor. How is this possible? After all, there were several air-conditioned waiting rooms in beautiful terminals connected by passages. There were even two mosques at the Doha airport - a male and a female one. Not to mention the many shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels. The construction of Hamad took into account all the small flaws that passengers complained about earlier when the old air harbor, Doha, functioned. Qatar Airport now provides free Wi-Fi in the gate area. Everywhere there are fountains with drinking water, toilets. All the signs are made in capital letters, so getting lost at the airport is almost impossible. For passengers with children, a more comfortable flight waiting area is provided. For a certain amount, everyone can relax in the lounge or VIP room.
Doha City: airport, reviews
What do tourists who have recently flown to the capital of Qatar say? The airport is extremely laudatory. The hub is large, spacious and very beautiful, similar to an oasis in the desert. All the attendants are helpful and welcoming. Before and after-flight procedures here are surprisingly fast. The terminal has several restaurants, cafes, a post office and bank branches, duty-free shops, and a VAT refund point.