Doha, Starting 1st April 2013, Hamad International Airport (HIA) – the State of Qatar’s brand new airport – will begin soft opening operations for 10 passenger airlines: Air Arabia, Air India Express,Biman Bangladesh Airlines, flydubai, Iran Air, Nepal Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, RAK Airways, Syrian Air and 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, 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.