About Hamad Airport – intro
Hamad International Airport is an international airport in the Qatar State and currently is the sole airport in the state. This airport is located in the south of Qatar’s capital, Doha and is the replacement of the former airport that was closed, Doha International Airport.
When the airport was formerly Doha International Airport, Hamad airport was scheduled to open in 2009 but following some costly chain of delays, the airport was officially opened on the 30th day of April in 2014. The opening was special in its way as it was ceremonial using the Qatar Airways flight landing from nearby Doha International Airport.
Hamad International airport was named after the previous Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. This airport is owned by Qatar Civil Aviation Authority and its operations are run by Qatar Airways. The airport serves as a hub for Qatar Airways, Qatar Airways Cargo and Qatar Executive with its operations serving Qatar.
The planning of the airport’s construction began in the year 2003 and the construction kicked off in 2005 with the site of the airport being 3.1 mile on the east of Doha old International Airport. The airport is built on a 2,200 hectares of land and it was set serve airlines that won’t require the utilization of lounge accessibility.
Hamad International Airport has a capacity of 29 million passengers annually and the airport was designed to cater for the increasing passenger traffic that was projected to be experienced. Under its construction, the airport is projected to handle 320,000 aircraft movements, 2 million tons of cargo and serve a passenger traffic of 93 million per year.
The airport is designed with an oasis theme with most of the buildings having a water motif, wave styles roofs with desert plants growing in recycled water. The airport is projected that on its completion, it will be two thirds the size of Doha city. Cargo operations in the airport officially began on December 1st 2013 with the first flight being Qatar Airways Cargo that arrived from Europe.
The airport, later on, began its passenger operations on 30th April 2014 with ten airlines operated. There was an initial announcement about the expansion of the airport that involved the expansion of the Check-in area, concourse D and E to a 13 kilometer concourse in length.
A new passenger amenity area with lounges was also part of the expansion plan. In 2015, the airport had thrived to an extent of being listed as the 50th busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic.
Hamad Airport Airlines and Destinations
Passengers
| Airlines | Destinations |
| Air Canada | Toronto–Pearson (begins 18 December 2020) |
| Air India | Delhi, Mumbai |
| Air India Express | Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli |
| Badr Airlines | Khartoum |
| Biman Bangladesh Airlines | Chittagong, Dhaka, Sylhet1 |
| British Airways | London–Heathrow |
| Cham Wings Airlines | Damascus |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa |
| GoAir | Mumbai |
| Himalaya Airlines | Kathmandu |
| IndiGo | Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai |
| Iran Air | Asaluyeh, Bandar Abbas, Lamerd, Lar, Shiraz |
| Jazeera Airways | Kuwait City |
| Kuwait Airways | Kuwait City |
| Middle East Airlines | Beirut |
| Nepal Airlines | Kathmandu |
| Oman Air | Muscat |
| Pakistan International Airlines | Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar |
| Pegasus Airlines | Istanbul–Sabiha GökçenSeasonal: Antalya |
| Philippine Airlines | Manila |
| Qatar Airways | Abuja (begins 27 November 2020), Accra, Adana, Addis Ababa, Adelaide, Ahmedabad, Algiers, Amman–Queen Alia, Amritsar, Amsterdam, Ankara, Athens, Atlanta, Auckland, Baghdad, Baku, Bangalore, Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Barcelona, Basra, Beijing–Capital, Beirut, Belgrade, Berlin–Brandenburg, Birmingham, Boston, Brisbane, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Canberra, Cape Town, Cardiff, Casablanca, Cebu, Chengdu, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Chicago–O’Hare, Chongqing, Clark, Colombo–Bandaranaike, Copenhagen, Dallas/Fort Worth, Da Nang, Dar es Salaam, Davao, Delhi, Denpasar/Bali, Dhaka, Djibouti, Dublin, Durban, Edinburgh, Entebbe, Erbil, Faisalabad, Frankfurt, Gaborone, Geneva, Goa, Gothenburg, Guangzhou, Hatay, Hangzhou, Hanoi, Helsinki, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Houston–Intercontinental, Hyderabad, Isfahan, Islamabad, Istanbul, Istanbul–Sabiha Gokçen, Izmir, Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta, Johannesburg–OR Tambo, Karachi, Kathmandu, Kigali, Kilimanjaro, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Krabi, Kuala Lumpur–International, Kuwait City, Kyiv–Boryspil, Lagos, Lahore, Langkawi, Larnaca, Lisbon, London–Gatwick, London–Heathrow, Los Angeles, Luanda, Lyon, Mahé, Malé, Malta, Manchester, Manila, Maputo, Marrakech, Mashhad, Melbourne, Miami, Milan–Malpensa, Mogadishu, Mombasa, Montreal–Trudeau, Moscow–Domodedovo, Multan, Mumbai, Munich, Muscat, Nagpur, Nairobi–Jomo Kenyatta, Najaf, New York–JFK, Nice, Nur-Sultan, Oslo–Gardermoen, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Penang, Perth, Peshawar, Philadelphia, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Pisa, Prague, Rabat, Rome–Fiumicino, Salalah, San Francisco (begins 15 December 2020), Sao Paulo–Guarulhos, Sarajevo, Seoul–Incheon, Shanghai–Pudong, Shiraz, Sialkot, Singapore, Skopje, Sofia, Sohar, Stockholm–Arlanda, St. Petersburg, Sulaymaniah, Sydney, Tbilisi, Tehran–Imam Khomeini, Thessaloniki, Thiruvananthapuram, Tokyo–Haneda, Tokyo–Narita, Tunis, Venice, Vienna, Warsaw–Chopin, Washington–Dulles, Windhoek–Hosea Kutako, Yangon, Yerevan, Zagreb, Zanzibar, ZürichSeasonal: Antalya, Bodrum, Dubrovnik, Malaga, Mykonos, Santorini |
| Regent Airways | Chittagong, Dhaka |
| Royal Air Maroc | Casablanca |
| Royal Jordanian | Amman–Queen Alia |
| SalamAir | Muscat |
| SriLankan Airlines | Colombo–Bandaranaike |
| Syrian Air | Damascus |
| Tarco Airlines | Khartoum |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul |
| US-Bangla Airlines | Chittagong, Dhaka |
Cargo
| Airlines | Destinations |
| Qatar Airways Cargo | Ahmedabad, Almaty, Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bangalore, Beirut, Basel/Mulhouse, Brussels, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Campinas, Casablanca, Chennai, Chicago–O’Hare, Colombo–Bandaranaike, Dallas/Fort Worth, Delhi, Dhaka, Entebbe, Erbil, Frankfurt, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hyderabad, Istanbul–Ataturk, Kochi, Kolkata, Kuwait City, Lagos, Lahore, Liege, London–Heathrow, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Macau, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Miami, Milan–Malpensa, Mumbai, Muscat, Nairobi–Jomo Kenyatta, New York–JFK, Osaka–Kansai, Oslo–Gardermoen, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Perth, Prague, Quito, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Seoul–Incheon, Shanghai–Pudong, Sialkot, Tehran–Imam Khomeini, Yangon, Zaragoza |
| Turkish Cargo | Istanbul–Ataturk |
Hamad International Airport Codes
The codes for Hamad International Airport are IATA: DOH and ICAO: OTHH
Hamad Arrivals and Departures
You can always check with your airline for real time arrivals and departures if you are within the airport. You can also check online on the arrivals and departures status and track flight by clicking here
Hamad International Airport is a large airport that offers a wide range of job opportunities and career development. You can always check for available vacancies in the airport online by clicking here.
Hamad Contact Number and Customer Service
For inquiries about the airport or any flight information. You can call the customer service office through +974 4010 6666
Hamad Airport Immigration
For transfers, you are advised to arrive at the airport 90 minutes early, present your passport and visas at the clearance and pay the visa fee. The Immigration contact details for Hamad International Airport are info.pr@customs.gov.qa and their phone number in case of any concern you can call them through +974 44457457. For any postal address you can use their official address which is PO Box 81. Doha, Qatar and their Fax +974 4445 7015. The official website for the customs and immigration office is here.
Hamad Airport Webcam
You can view live arrivals and departures of flight at Hamad International Airport and additionally listen to online traffic radio using their webcams located in the airport. You can access the webcams online by clicking here. These webcams will also help in checking the weather status at the airport and check if your flight might encounter delays.
Hamad Airport Facilities
Smoking Rooms
Hamad International Airport is strictly a non-smoking area. Smoking of e-cigarettes are also not allowed in the terminal. Therefore, there are designated smoking rooms that are all over the passenger terminal. They are fitted by smoke extractors and comfortable seating to ensure passengers are not inconvenienced.
ATMs
There are ATMs all through the passenger terminal. There are those that give out cash in multiple currencies. They’re accessible at the arrival level and before post-immigration levels or at the customs checkpoint.
Currency exchange
There are 5 foreign currency exchanges located across the passenger terminal building. Travelex has the following spots that offer currency exchange of over 40 currencies.
- At the end of check-in row 7, Departures check in area.
- Towards Concourse B, near Marche restaurant at the Departures (South Node)
- Towards end of Belt 3 at the Arrivals baggage claim area
- In the Arrivals hall at the meet & greet area, adjacent
- Towards the start of Concourse D at the Departures
Qatar Islamic Bank
The branch found at Hamad International Airport is Qatar Islamic Bank’s first branch that operates 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. This ensures that the branch provides a comprehensive product range and services. They also offer currency exchange. It is strategically located at the Arrivals Hall, allowing it to serve a multitude of travelers who pass through the airport daily, and both their clients and non-clients
Lost and Found
Customer Service Team helps travelers locate their lost items. Their office is found in the Passenger Terminal Complex. If you have lost an item(s) on your flight or inside the passenger terminal, you can report to their desk or write them an email at liqas@qatarraviation.com. Remember to include full description of the items. This service is offered free of charge. Unclaimed items are kept for 30 days. If not taken, they are given out to charity.
Baggage Claim
Once you have checked in, your baggage will arrive on one of the belts in the baggage claim area. The large display near Belt 3 will let you know which your luggage will arrive from. Every belt serves and display from where the luggage is handled by which flight. If you had an oversized or fragile item, they will be delivered thru Belt A which is locate between Belts 2 and 3 and Belt B which is located between Belts 7 and 8. Similarly, pets are also delivered to their owners at the baggage claim area. Throughout the baggage claim area, trolleys are offered for free. For any lost or damaged items, contact the nearest information desk for assistance.
Customer Service
There are several customer service desks found all over the terminal. You can just walk unto one and you’ll be assisted to your desire. If you cannot, for any reason, you can drop them an email and they will respond in 72 hours. You can also give them a call on +974-4010-9666 or +974-4010-922 and you will be assisted. You can also write to them on PO Box 24659 Doha, Qatar.
Car Rental
From the airport, you can rent a car, of which you can choose over a wide model from sedans to high end luxury cars. There are several car rental companies at the airport, including Al Muftah Rent A Car, Europcar Rent A Car and AVIS-Venture Gulf Rent A Car. The documents required are
- The driver must hold an International driving license or a license issued from a GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) country
- A credit card with a minimum of 3 months’ validity at the time of booking, although most of the payments can be made of cash.
- Photocopy of the entry stamp into Qatar on your passport.
One can book a car online before arrival.
Duty Free
There are a variety of duty free shops around the terminal, including 24 seven, Bally, Blush cosmetics and confectionery stores. They are available in all terminals, and are perfect for the last minute shoppers.
Wi-Fi (Connectivity)
There is a free wireless Wi-Fi connectivity which is accessible throughout the passenger terminal. On your Wi-Fi enabled device, turn on Wi-Fi on your settings and connect to the network named ‘HIAQatar Complementary Wi-Fi’ and sign in.
For those without Wi-Fi enabled devices, Hamad International Airport got you covered. There are Internet Kiosks and desks equipped with screens and keyboards which offer similar web browsing for free. They are located all over the terminal. Just approach any official to help you locate one, if you can’t.
You can purchase calling cards from Qatar Duty Free and use it at the telephone booths to make calls anywhere in the world. They’re also located all around the passenger terminal.
Hamad’s Terminals
Hamad International Airport has 1 terminal with 5 concourses named as Concourses A, B, C, D & E.
Concourse A
It is located at the west of the check-in area and has 10 passenger gates that connect to the jet bridges. Two of the gates were designed to put up with Airbus A380
Concourse B
It is found at the east of the check-in area and also has 10 passenger gates. It was opened on April 30, 2014 with 10 airlines transferring operations over from Doha International Airport. Similar to Concourse A, two of the gates were designed to be able to put up with Airbus A380.
Concourse C
It is located at the North of the check-in area and has 13 passenger gates that were connected to the jet bridges. This concourse was opened on 27th May 2014.
Concourse D & E
They’re found North of the check-in area at the end of the Concourse C. They are both fully operational. Gates 18-24 are found on the ground floor while Gates 1-4 are found on the first floor. Gates 2 and 4 later will be permanently be closed because of the expansion of the airport. There is a possibility of Concourse F, though plans on it are still underway.
This terminal has both First class and Business lounges which were opened by Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker on 20 June 2014
What to do near Hamad Airport
Eat
Considering food, the airport has no much of a variety to offer. But Qatar Café has quite a large cuisine of foods to offer. It has Western cuisine, International and Middle Eastern cuisines. If you want leisurely meals, then head over to Cavair House and Prunier Sea Food Bar. To-go options includes Red Mango
Lounge
The airport has two lounges that permits access to any traveler, no matter the class one has flew in from. All one has to do is to do book a pass online, use your lounge membership program or pay at the door. You can find them here
Sightseeing
Qatar Airways, together with Qatar Tourism Authority offer free tours of Doha! Tour highlights consist of Pear Qatar, Katara Cultural Village and the Souq Waqif. The tours are offered daily and you can make a booking through the Doha City Tour Desk
Visit the desert
You can visit the sand dunes near Al Adaid. They are quite far. You need at least 5 hours to reach there.
Shop
As much as Hamad International Airport looks like a classy shopping mall, but once you hop into the stores, you will notice that most of the items sold there are actually of standard prices. Some are even duty free (on selected brands).
Shower
You can freshen up by taking a shower after long flight into Hamad International Airport. Just visit the shower facilities in the airport lounges, or the gym between Gates A10 and B10.
Art
The airport’s management have built an outpost that has both local and international art works displayed throughout of the airport. There is also a gift shop found in the museum
Gym/spa
If you are a workout fan, or just want some relaxing manicure and pedicure, you can visit the gym and spas, respectively. Vitality Wellbeing & fitness center is the place to go because thy offer both the services. It is located between gates A10 and B10. Hydrotherapy would also come in handy it also has a swimming pool.
Wi-Fi
There is also an open and free Wi-Fi. This will make sure that you remain connected to your family and friends. Of you do not have a Wi-Fi enabled devices, the airport offers free Mac devices to be used by the travelers and are found all over the terminal.
Sleep
Sleeping is a good way to rejuvenate and get back to your strength. Hamad International Airport offers you a chance to do so. Just don’t forget your blanket, earplugs and eye mask as it can get very cold during the nights. There is a good number of chairs, but the downside is that most of them have armrests. This means that you’ll be lucky to get one that doesn’t have. Just head over to Family and TV areas at Gates A3, concourses B and C. These are the areas where you can get comfortable sleeping couches. If these doesn’t work, consider visiting lounges.
Hotels near Hamad Int’l Airport
| Hotel name | Guest ratings with reviewers | Bookings and reservations | Avg. price/night |
| Oryx airport hotel | 8.8 with 1200+ reviews | It is found Hamad International Airport Terminal 1, Departure Area, near Gate C1, you can do a booking here | $133.08 per night, bed and breakfast inclusive |
| Sharq Village & spa | 8.6 with 1000+ reviews | It is located 2.8 km from the airport and you can make a reservation here | $290 per night, bed and breakfast inclusive |
| La Villa Palace Hotel | 7.1 with 500+ reviews | It is located 4 km from the airport and you can make a reservation here | $132 per night, bed and breakfast inclusive |
| Chairmen Hotel | 7.8 with 800+ reviews | It is located at Al Mansoura Najma, 2.3 km from the airport. You can make reservations and bookings here | $120 per night, bed and breakfast inclusive |
| Grand Regal Hotel | 7.8 with 1200+ reviews | It is located near Qatar Islamic Museum, Ras Abu Abboud St. You can make reservations and bookings here | $186 per night, bed and breakfast inclusive |
| Al Liwan Suites | 8.6 with 100+ reviews | It is located at 27 Umm Ghowalilina Street. You can make reservations and bookings here | $116 per night, bed and breakfast inclusive |
| Stato Hotel | 8.4 with 600+ reviews | It is located along Al Matar Qadeem Street. You can make reservations and bookings here | $96 per night, bed and breakfast inclusive |
| Golden Ocean | 7.6 with 1600+ reviews | It is located along Al Meena St. You can make reservations and bookings here | $134 per night, bed and breakfast inclusive |
| Premier Inn | 9.2 with 100+ reviews | It is located along Saeed bin Aas Street. You can make reservations and bookings here | $196 per night, bed and breakfast inclusive |
| Horizon Manor Hotel | 8.0 with 2000+ reviews | It is located along Jabr Bin Mohd Street. You can make reservations and bookings here | $146 per night, bed and breakfast inclusive |
Hamad Ground Transportation
There are quite a number of methods you can use to exit/enter the airport. They include car rentals, limousines, taxis, buses and metro trains.
Hamad Airport Lounges
Qatar Airways First Class Lounge
Location
Hamad International Airport Air Traffic Control Tower
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Newspapers and magazine
- TVs
- Flight monitors
- Free parking
Operation hours
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Oryx Lounge
Location
Hamad International Airport Terminal 1, Departure Area, near Gate C1
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Newspapers and magazine
- TVs
- Flight monitors
- Free parking
Operation hours
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Al Mourjan Business
Location
Hamad International Airport, Doha Qatar
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Newspapers and magazine
- TVs
- Flight monitors
- Free parking
Operation hours
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Qatar Airways Business Class Lounge
Location
Hamad International Airport
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Newspapers and magazine
- TVs
- Flight monitors
- Free parking
Operation hours
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Al Safwa First Lounges
Location
Hamad International Airport.
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Newspapers and magazine
- TVs
- Flight monitors
- Free parking
Operation hours
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Hamad Airport Parking
You have a 20% off you parking fees if you pre-book.
Short term parking is found on both sides of the terminal. The security coverage is valid for up to 15 days. Parking charges are as follows:
- QAR 8 for first 5 hours
- Each additional hour will attract an extra payment of QAR 5 up to 24 hours.
- A lost parking ticket attracts a penalty of QAR 45.
- Payments can be made by cash or credit cards
For passengers flying with Qatar Airways, the east short-term is more convenient while the west short-term is favorable for those using other airlines.
Premium parking is more convenient for passengers flying with Qatar airways because they are pre-equipped with the latest technology. Premium parking rates are as follows:
- QAR 32 for the first 3 hours
- Each 24 hours QAR 280
- Motorcycle parking rate, 50% of the above mentioned rates
- A lost parking ticket attracts a penalty of QAR 45.
- Payments can be made by cash or credit cards
Long term parking is found on the southern end of the passenger terminal. Vehicles parked here are kept secured for up to 60 days. Long parking rates are as follows:
- QAR 70 applies once you have entered. This allows you to park for at least 24 hours
- Daily rate of QAR applies
Valet parking is also available at Departure level near Gate 1 (first & business class), pick up only at Arrivals level across from Gate 1 and a fee of QAR 90 (2 hours), and QAR 250 (per 24 hours) applies.
Airport Statistics of Hamad
Since 1998, the number of passengers and total cargo load increased significantly.
Statistics* for Doha International Airport
| Year | Total passengers | Total Cargo (tons) | Total Cargo (1000s lbs.) | Aircraft movements |
| 1998 | 2,100,000 | 86,854 | ||
| 1999 | 2,300,000 | 62,591 | ||
| 2002 | 4,406,304 | 90,879 | 200,351 | 77,402 |
| 2003 | 5,245,364 | 118,406 | 261,037 | 42,130 |
| 2004 | 7,079,540 | 160,088 | 352,930 | 51,830 |
| 2005 | 9,377,003 | 207,988 | 458,530 | 59,671 |
| 2006 | 11,954,030 | 262,061 | 577,739 | 103,724 |
| 2007 | 9,459,812 | 252,935 | 557,626 | 65,373 |
| 2008 | 12,272,505 | 414,872 | 914,636 | 90,713 |
| 2009 | 13,113,224 | 528,906 | 1,166,038 | 101,941 |
| 2010 | 15,724,027 | 707,831 | 1,560,498 | 118,751 |
| 2011 | 18,108,521 | 795,558 | 1,753,905 | 136,768 |
| 2012 | 21,163,597 | |||
| 2013 | 23,266,187 |
*these statistics are for Doha International Airport as it was later replaced by Hamad International Airport.
Destinations from Hamad Airport
| Destination | How to get to |
| City Center | Take a shuttle from the Airport to the City Center. They are available on demand. It is 4.4 km away, and the trip is a 4-minute drive. Estimated cost will by $4-$10 USD |
| Souq Waqif | A taxi ride to Souq Waqif will cost you around $4-$6 USD. It is 4 km away. |
| Pearl | A taxi ride to Pearl will cost you around $20-$24 USD. It is 18.8 km away. |
| Maldives | Take a flight from Hamad International Airport to Male, Maldives. It is a 5-hour flight and will cost you $400-$500 USD. |
| Musheireb | Take a taxi to Musheireb. It will cost you $8-$11 and a travel time of 6 minutes. |
| Ramada Encore | Take a taxi to Ramada Encore. It will cost you $6-$8 and a travel time of 4 minutes. It is 4.2 km away |
Hamad International Airport Logo, maps and images;
My name is Alex Mutuma and I founded this blog, Airport LLC as a way to document and engage with clients in my travel consulting business. Airportllc.com is the only source of over 2,000 fun things flyers could do during layovers.
Over the past 7 years, I have designed and planned tour packages for hundreds of clients and have recently focussed on the mission of changing boring layovers to excellent mini-vacations by giving you the best suggestions on must-do activities when flying over different airports.
Next time you or your friend are looking for suggestions on what to do in some airport, remember Airport LLC or Airportllc.com. On this site, you’ll get the best suggestions available on the internet regarding hand-picked activities that will fulfill your airport experience.
I currently reside in New York City and have obtained a license to provide professional tour guidance at Airports in the US and across the world. Why should you listen to my suggestions? I have flown through more than 100 airports in the world and fortunately, I have pictures, stories, and tips to share with you regarding all the fun stuff you can do as you wait for your next flight.
Aside from gaining thousands of flying miles, I am also a travel consultant assisting clients with bookings and specifically advance tour bookings of things to do at airports when the layover is longer than 5 hours.
To make a 15-minute free things-to-do consultation with Alex, use my email, alex@airportllc.com.
This is only recommended for flyers with long layovers of over 5 hours. If your layover is 3+ hours, you can still reach out but we cannot guarantee the ideal package that will change your layovers to mini-vacations. I only support clients flying through US airports and a select number of cities across the world.
———–
Name: Alex Mutuma
Profession: A professional travel consultant with a focus on airport activities to do during layovers
Email: Alex@airportllc.com
Phone: +1 945 348 889
Website: airportllc.com
Location: 322 Main Packway Street, Boston, US
———–
