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Exclusive Doha terminal will give way to a bigger airport
ADPARA>When the government of Qatar built a US$100 million independent terminal for premium class passengers, it already knew it would last only four years
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ADPARA>When the government of Qatar built a US$100 million independent terminal for premium class passengers, it already knew it would last only four years. A much bigger and centralized airport would replace all existing terminals.
The exclusive terminal, adjacent to Doha airport, boasts luxurious lounges for Qatar Airways passengers in transit. Built in just nine months, it opened in November 2006.
"We were willing to spend that much money so premium passengers would get the best treatment. We want to retain our customers," said Edward Cameron, the airline's senior spokesman for the far East and Australasia.
Facilities and services include a duty-free shop, a spa for first class passengers, a jacuzzi, a business center, a fine dining restaurant, a game room with PlayStation consoles and a locker room to store jackets and bags.
Wireless Internet connection is free of charge, and there are three computer stations for free browsing.
The premium airport itself has been in use only a year, with three years left before it "expires".
Replacing it will be the ambitious New Doha International Airport (NDIA), a complex that will be as big as Doha city itself. The 1,700-hectare airport will have 40 percent of its land reclaimed from the Arabian gulf.
Qatar Airways will manage and operate the NDIA, which is located approximately four kilometers east of the existing airport.
The facility will be the world's first airport designed specifically for the Airbus A380, the largest passenger jet ever built.
Qatar Airways has ordered five A380s for routes to be decided later. Six gates will be devoted to passengers of these "gentle giants".
Forecast to be fully operational in 2015, the $5.5 billion project will be implemented in three phases. Phase one is set for completion in 2009, and phase two will be completed in 2012. U.S. engineering and construction giant Bechtel has been awarded the airport's main building contract.
A 1,900-square-meter mosque with a minaret, to be built by a Japanese contractor, will stand in the plaza garden between the main terminal and a man-made lagoon.
The initial work began in January 2005, and by 2009 the three-story terminal should be able to handle up to 12 million passengers a year. This will increase four-fold to about 50 million passengers by the time the airport is fully operational in 2015.
The runways -- one 4,850-meter and one 4,250-meter -- have almost been completed, as has the dredging work with 60 percent of the land already reclaimed.
The NDIA will have a total of 80 contact gates, including space devoted to retail, lounges and parking facilities. The premium lounges available now at the old facility will not be replicated at the new airport.
All passengers, regardless of seat class, will share the same building. Hotels and monorails are available.
The airport also includes the private Emiri Terminal Complex. Designed by French architects, the unique pavilion resembles giant sail boats.
This separate facility, which serves guests of the Emir, has additional cargo terminal buildings and aircraft hangars. Guests of the royal families will arrive to red carpets and an open air stage for ceremonial welcomes.
--Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo
