Qatar Airways announces QAR140 million extensions to Doha International Airport terminal

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Mr Akbar Al Baker said the airline will spend more than QAR140 million to expand the arrivals and departures terminal this year, to increase the capacity of the airport from 4.2 million passengers to 7.5 million passengers.

The expansion of the terminal building is part of a half billion Qatari riyal program to improve the capacity of the airport this year, as Qatar Airways continues to grow.

Mr Al Baker took journalists on a tour of the newly renovated arrivals terminal today, showcasing Qatar Airways' new meet-and-assist service Al Maha, as well a new Qatar Duty Free boutique, a renovated baggage collection area, and a new passenger services area.

Mr Akbar also formally opened the new Al Maha Lounge, which is located in the arrivals hall.

"We are creating an airport that will rival the world's leading airports in terms of customer service and user-friendliness," said Mr Al Baker.

"In this year alone we will increase the terminal capacity from 4.2 million passengers to 7.5 million passengers, increase the duty free area, build new aircraft stands and provide parking for 2000 vehicles.

"We're applying the same high service standards that we've established in the air with Qatar Airways, to our passenger services at Doha International Airport.

"As part of this commitment, we have established the Al Maha service and undertaken extensive renovation of the arrival terminal to provide passengers with an improved duty free experience, a modern baggage collection area, and easy-to-find services.

"The Al Maha Service is the latest innovative service feature that Qatar Airways has added to Doha International Airport.

"As part of the Al Maha service, passengers will be welcomed to the airport by the Al Maha team who will then fast track them through airport formalities on arrival, transit and departure from Doha International.

"Arriving passengers will be able to wait and relax in the new Al Maha lounge while their immigration formalities are processed and their baggage is collected.

"The Al Maha team will organise things like visas on-arrival, liaise with immigration officials, organise the collection of luggage, and make sure that the passengers are escorted to awaiting hotel representatives or family members.

"The Al Maha Service is a service that will be available 24-hours a day, 365 days of the year. It will be available to any passenger flying on any airline in or out of Doha International Airport.

"We have also created a contemporary duty free boutique in the arrivals hall.

"The 160 square metre boutique carries a large range of the best known brands of perfumes, cigarettes, electrical goods, jewellery, cosmetics, toys and confectionary.

"In the short time the arrivals duty free boutique has opened, it has been a huge success with passengers.

"We have also created an area where passengers can quickly find accommodation, car hire, café facilities and banking services as soon as they clear customs.

"All this adds up to a very high level of airport service, and one that we are keen to continually improve," said Mr Al Baker.

Other improvements to Doha International Airport include:

• Streamlined check-in and transfers for passengers, with the additional of extra check-in and transfer counters. Check-in counters have been increased to 44, and transfer desks to 17.
• Streamlined immigration services, with the addition of more immigration counters in the arrivals and departures terminal.
• 13 new counters for hotels, car hire and other passenger services.
• An increase in the number of banking facilities in the arrivals and departures terminals.
• New café facilities with the opening of Costa Coffee in the arrivals terminal.
• Installation of the latest x-ray security systems.
• New and contemporary waiting area for families and friends in the arrivals terminal.

There is a nominal fee of QAR 70 per passenger for the Al Maha service. For groups of up to 10 people, the cost is QAR 70 for the first person and QAR 45 for each of the remaining passengers. There are special discounts for larger groups.

Bookings for the Al Maha service can be made by phoning (974) 4622694 or contacting the information booth in the departures terminal at Doha International Airport.

Qatar Airways has built an enviable reputation for its customer service and its growth since it was relaunched in 1997.

The international airline quality monitor Skytrax recently rated Qatar Airways' cabin service as the best of the Middle Eastern carriers, and the fifth best in the world.

The airline has bucked the downturn in the international aviation market to become one of the fastest growing airlines in the world — significantly increasing its fleet and expanding its route network across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian sub continent and the Far East.

As part of this growth plan, Qatar Airways will extend its route network to 50 destinations by the end of 2003, and 60 by the end of 2004.

It has recently added Manchester, Rome and Moscow to its route network.

Qatar Airways has recently signed a $5.1 billion agreement to purchase 32 more additional Airbus aircraft in a deal that will increase the fleet to 52 by 2008.

Qatar Airways is also one of the launch customers for the A380 'super jumbo' in 2007, when it will take delivery of two of the aircraft.

Qatar Airways operates a number of subsidiary companies including: Qatar Aviation Services, Qatar Aviation Catering Company, United Media International, Qatar Airways Holidays, Doha International Airport, and Qatar Duty Free.