DOHA, March 18 – Qatar’s brand new iconic airport, Hamad International Airport (HIA), will begin soft opening operations for 10 passenger airlines effective April 1, 2013, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported. The 10 passenger airlines are 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, reports QNA. 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. There will be around 32 passenger flights departing daily from HIA equating to approximately 222 flights per week.
HIA’s eastern runway, which is the longest of its two runways, and the uniquely designed, crescent-shaped air traffic control tower, will also be in operation on April, 1. 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 April 1.
BERNAMA
