New Doha International Airport presents credentials at leading industry forum

Routes, an annual conference and exhibition on international route development, was held over three days at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi, Chairman of both the Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar and the New Doha International Airport Steering Committee, was joined at the forum by NDIA committee members Mohammed Al Meer, Abdulla Al Subaey and Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker.

The New Doha International Airport, which opens in 2009, is billed as an architectural icon of the Middle East - the region's first airport built on reclaimed land from the sea. An impressive state-of-the-art stand featuring rendered images and a wooden scale model of the new airport attracted scores of visitors during Routes.

The New Doha International Airport will be the new home for Qatar Airways, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, which currently operates to more than 70 international destinations with a fleet of 49 modern aircraft.

Qatar Airways has an ambitious plan to expand its route and fleet network to more than 100 destinations and 110 aircraft, respectively by the year 2015, when the new airport will have a capacity to handle up to 50 million passengers a year.

Al Nuaimi said Routes was an excellent networking forum to explore new route opportunities with airports and airlines from around the world.

"We were delighted to present the credentials of both Qatar Airways and the New Doha International Airport at what was a highly important aviation gathering and, provide delegates with an opportunity to see first hand the vision of Qatar's aviation scene over the next few years,"

he said.

"The New Doha International Airport will be a key economic driver of the State of Qatar and, together with the rapid development of the national airline Qatar Airways, will continue to help put the country in the global spotlight."

Routes has established itself as one of the world's premier airline and airport network events, focusing on the development of international services. Conceived 11 years ago, Routes is held annually in different parts of the world.