HIA to begin opening operations for 10 passenger airlines

The 10 passenger airlines as follow:
1. Air Arabia
2. Air India Express
3. Biman Bangladesh Airlines
4. flydubai
5. Iran Air
6. Nepal Airlines
7. Pakistan International Airlines
8. RAK Airways
9. Syrian Air
10.Yemen Airways

Qatar Airways' flights will not be affected. The national airline will move its entire operations from the current Doha International Airport (DIA) to Hamad International Airport (HIA) by the end of the year.

The 10 airlines listed will no longer have a presence at Doha International Airport (DIA) and will operate exclusively from HIA from 1st April 2013 There will be around 32 passenger flights departing daily from HIA equating to approximately 222 flights per week.

Concourse B at HIA will be fully operational on 1st April 2013 for passengers travelling with these 10 airlines. Passengers will enter the passenger terminal complex from the east side entrance and go directly to the check-in counters.

After check-in, immigration and security, passengers will be directed to concourse B. At HIA, passengers departing and arriving will be boarding and exiting aircraft via an air bridge to the terminal.

Along with the concourse B opening on 1st April 2013, the eastern runway, which is the longest of the two runways at HIA, and the uniquely designed, crescent-shaped air traffic control tower, will also be in operation.

Parking will be available at the eastern side of the short term car park in front of the passenger terminal complex. From the car park, passengers will be able to enter the passenger terminal complex through the eastern link bridge connected to parking facility.

There will be taxis available to and from HIA as well as a limousine service from April 1. The taxi pick-up point is located on the arrivals floor at the left side when exiting the terminal and the limousine service is located on the arrivals floor at the right side when exiting the terminal. Across the road from arrivals there will be a pick-up point for private cars.

For transport between airports, arriving and departing passengers will be able to use the shuttle bus service which will be operating from HIA to Doha International Airport Departures terminal (DIA) and DIA to HIA as of the 1st April 2013.

About Doha International Airport:

Doha International Airport, which currently handles more than 21.1 million passengers a year, has undergone a dramatic change over the past three years, virtually doubling in size to cope with the huge demand for air travel to and from Qatar, spearheaded by the huge infrastructure improvements taking place in the country. Hamad International Airport is the world's newest aviation hub, a world-class facility that is set to exceed expectations and redefine the passenger and transit experience.

Positioned at the edge of the Arabian Gulf, Hamad International Airport's tranquil waterside setting provides a perfect backdrop for its stylish architectural elements, underpinned by advanced airport systems. Featuring two runways, among the longest in the world, a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower, a stunning passenger terminal with a design capacity of 28 million passengers per year, over 25,000 square metres of retail and food & beverage facilities and a uniquely shaped public mosque, these are some key aspects of the modern airport complex. The soft opening of Hamad International Airport (HIA) is taking place on 1st April 2013 where 10 foreign airlines will be operating out of Concourse B. During this phase HIA will be handling approximately 600 passengers per hour. For more information about Doha International Airport or Hamad International Airport, please visit www.dohaairport.com