The Hamad International Airport (HIA), set for a soft opening on April 1, has two specially designated family areas in Concourse B, it was announced yesterday. Baby strollers will be available free of charge from airport customer services. Ten foreign airlines are scheduled to operate out of HIA’s Concourse B from April 1. They are Air Arabia, Air India Express, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, flydubai, Iran Air, Nepal Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, RAK Airways, Syrian Air and Yemen Airways. These airlines will no longer have a presence at the current Doha International Airport (DIA). There will be around 32 passenger flights departing daily from HIA, equating to approximately 222 flights per week. Qatar Airways Group will manage and operate Hamad International Airport. National airline Qatar Airways will be the principle operator of flights from the new airport, but will move its entire operations from DIA to HIA only by the end of the year. There are also 19 other airlines which will continue operating from DIA until their move to HIA at the end of the year. HIA, located 4km east of the DIA, has been primarily built on reclaimed land. The airport is based on the Ras Abu Abboud street expressway, also known as the F Ring Road. Upon entering the HIA site there will be signage directing passengers to the eastern side of the short term car park located opposite the passenger terminal complex. There are pick up and drop off areas located on both the departure and arrival floors and a bus pavilion located outside Concourse A for passengers using the public bus route or the shuttle bus provided by DIA. Passengers wanting a beverage or snack before they fly will be able to visit the café located in Concourse B at the far end of level 1. Before boarding, passengers can visit the express duty free store. A newsagent is also available for passengers to purchase magazines, books and newspapers. Passenger facilities available at HIA include a male and female prayer room and a smoking room located in Concourse B. In addition, HIA will offer all passengers and visitors free WiFi to access from their personal devices throughout the airport. Along with the Concourse B opening on April 1, HIA will open cargo facilities in phases from April 8. HIA is home to one of the largest cargo facilities in the world, which includes a 55,000sqm full automated cargo terminal, a 5,000sq m cargo agent building and a dedicated 4,200sqm live animal centre with eight horse stalls. The cargo facility has the capacity to process 1.4mn tonnes of cargo a year and has an exclusive adjacent aircraft apron for 11 freighter aircraft. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker said HIA will surely set the standards in the regional and global aviation industry. “This will be a memorable experience for passengers and visitors alike as we welcome the first few airlines to their new home on April 1 before Qatar Airways switches its entire operations to Hamad International by the end of the year.” http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/346324/new-airport-to-have-special-family-areas

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