Passenger traffic at QAIA recorded 603,286 passengers, a 23.76% growth compared to figures from August 2011. Aircraft movement numbered 6,228, a 9.88% increase from August of the previous year. In terms of year-to-date passenger traffic, QAIA has recorded more than four million passengers from January until the end of August 2012, with 4,281,251 passengers, marking 19.11% increase compared to the same eight-month period of last year. The year-to-date aircraft movement totaled 45,499, increasing 7.97% overthe same period of 2011. 

Kjeld Binger, Airport International Group's chief executive officer said, “2012 has been quite encouraging for QAIA, with new records being setboth in actual numbers and in growth rates, reflecting promisingly on the future of the airport,”“However, the results are reflecting specific regional conditions, and we do not expect these extraordinary growth rates to be sustainable over the years to come, but withthe opening of the new state-of-the-art terminal on the horizon we will further strengthen growth opportunities.”

AIG is investing an estimated US $750 million to construct a new terminal over 90 % completed. According to the airport management and operations consortium, the terminal will increase the airport capacity to 9 million passengers, current standing capacity is 3.5 million passengers annually. One hundred million dollars (US) were invested by AIG on rehabilitating and improving the existing terminals to facilitate handling continuous growth in passenger traffic.