Qatar's USD6 billion new Doha International Airport selects ARINC for IT systems integration

Notes and media contacts

Contact:
ARINC Incorporated
Brand Management & Corporate Communications

With its high level of expertise in system integration and security solutions, THALES provides security systems designed for markets involved in civil administration, site protection and critical infrastructures such as airports. For more information, visit the THALES web site at www.thalesgroup.com

ARINC Incorporated is the world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering. The company develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government, and surface transportation. Founded to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for the airlines, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and operates key regional offices in London and Singapore, with over 3,200 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 certified.

BACKGROUND FACTS ON NEW DOHA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

The state-of-the-art passenger terminal complex at NDIA will include a passenger terminal, concourses, retail facilities, parking structure, public mosque, roadways and pedestrian bridges. Some facts and statistics include:
1. NDIA is scheduled to open in 2009 at a cost of $6.8 billion, and will be capable of handling 24 million passengers a year, with 750,000 tons of cargo.

2. At opening day, the 448,000m2 passenger terminal facility will be the largest building in Doha, covering an area equivalent to 50 full size soccer fields.

3. At ultimate development, the airport is expected to handle 48 million passengers, 2 million tons of cargo, 360,000 annual airfreight operations, and 320,000 aircraft landings and takeoffs each year. This equates to 60 times the current population of Doha.

4. NDIA will have a land area in excess 22 km2 (7mi2), about a quarter of the size of the old city of Doha. Nearly 50% of this area has to be reclaimed from open sea. By placing the new airport at the edge of the Arabian Gulf, Qatar is assured of an airport that will continue to operate without restrictions long into the future. Noise contours associated with the new airport will fall over the open waters of the Gulf and will not impact any populated areas of Doha.

5. NDIA's eastern runway will be 4,850 meters long, barely 150 meters shorter than the longest commercial runway in the world.

6. NDIA will feature a striking, state-of-the-art exterior. The undulating wave shape of the passenger terminal roof, the elegant sail ship structure for the Emiri terminal, and the intricate droplet-like form of the public mosque will combine to create a stunning water-themed environment to compliment the airport's location alongside the glittering Arabian Gulf.

7. Inside the terminal, the design focus has been on the creation of a spacious, but efficient and convenient airport experience. The concourses will be comfortable, attractive and roomy. All this will ensure that NDIA will stay in the mind of the international traveler as an attraction in the world of aviation.