Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (HIA) has officially unveiled its airport expansion, complete with an indoor tropical garden.
The Orchard tropical garden is at the centre of the terminal expansion. In addition to a beautiful water feature, it features more than 300 trees and over 25,000 plants sourced from sustainable forests around the world. The unique design of the area allows trees and plants to easily adapt to the internal conditions and grow throughout the life of the airport – with natural light to create a calming ambiance and promote a sense of wellbeing in visitors.
Consisting of one expansive terminal, the airport will welcome passengers with facilities and services curated for all ages. The expansion enables travellers to seamlessly transfer from one area to another, via the new transfer hall on concourse C (Transfer Hall C). Its introduction will greatly reduce waiting times and enhance the level of security, customer service and efficiency, the airport said.
Commenting on the expansion, HIA chief operating officer Engr Badr Mohammed Al Meer said: “We are immensely proud to officially launch our airport expansion. Our growth plan will see us welcome over 58 million passengers annually. Through the expansion, we have upgraded our facilities and offerings.”
Qatar Duty Free has unveiled a brand-new space in the airport expansion, with more than 65 retail and dining outlets spread across its three levels. F&B options at the HIA expansion includes over 20 cafes and restaurants offering local and global cuisines.
The retail and F&B offer at the expansion features many world firsts and exclusives, including a Fendi Boutique with the first Fendi Café in an airport, and the first Ralph’s Coffee Shop in an airport. The North node also houses the world’s first Oreo Café in an airport.
The enhanced retail offer includes a selection of luxury boutiques, including the first Dior Boutique at HIA, the only FIFA shop in the world, Thom Brown’s only store in an airport, the largest Ray Ban store in an airport, and a line-up of prestigious brands including Gucci, Tiffany and Bvlgari.
With Phase A of HIA’s expansion plans ready in time for the much-anticipated FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Phase B of the expansion – set to commence in early 2023 – will further increase the capacity of the airport to well over 70 million passengers, and will see the construction of two new concourses within the existing terminal.
Image: Hamad International Airport
