Airportman.id – Throughout 2021, Hamad International Airport (HIA) recorded a positive performance amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the aviation industry around the world.

Hamad International Airport recorded an increase in the number of passengers by 41.37% compared to 2020, or a total of 17,702,635 passengers served throughout 2021. The total tonnage of cargo handled increased by 20.71%, or 2.58 million tons. HIA recorded the number of aircraft movements at 169,909 movements, or an increase of 28.12% compared to 2020. And finally, the number of departure destinations increased by eight, or 156 destinations in total, in 2021. Dhaka, Male, Dubai, Kathmandu, and London were among the busiest departure destinations of Hamad International Airport.

COO of Hamad International Airport, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer said, "While the global aviation industry witnessed another tumultuous year, HIA prevailed and continued to set new benchmarks and achievements; a reflection of the airport’s dedication to ensuring passenger and staff well-being. Qatar’s airport maintained stringent safety procedures to ensure a worry-free passenger experience, formed new partnerships to further HIA’s vision for sustainability and technological innovations, and expanded its lifestyle offerings for its passengers."

Al Meer added, "As the Official Airport Partner of the fast-approaching FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, HIA is looking forward to creating new passenger experiences at the airport, while keeping their safety and well-being at the core of our operations. Qatar’s airport realises the importance of the World Cup for incoming fans – many of whom fly across the world to witness the event. We are delighted to welcome them with the unparalleled experience they deserve."

In 2021, HIA won the "Best Airport in the World 2021" award by the SKYTRAX World Airport Award 2021. Excellent service and commitment to ensure an unforgettable experience also helped HIA receive the "Best Airport Staff in the Middle East" and "Best Airport Staff in the Middle East" awards. Best Airport 25 to 35 million Passengers". HIA's consistency to remain at the forefront of this industry and in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has also led the airport to gain recognition as "Best Airport Staff in the Middle East" and "COVID-19 Airport Excellence".

Recently, HIA has also invested in a green future by introducing sustainable measures at the Oryx Airport Hotel. The hotel has succeeded in replacing all commonly used plastic bottles with more environmentally friendly containers, along with a series of initiatives to increase the airport's positive environmental impact.

Complementing the passenger experience at HIA, Qatar Duty-Free (QDF) is also leading a significant effort to expand its offerings at the world's best airport. QDF launched a new concept, branded stores, and food and beverage outlets, including the Adidas Store, Apple Shop, and Hublot, the home of the Swiss luxury watchmaker, which officially launched its first travel retail boutique in the region.

QDF also introduced Viale Del Lusso, which featured Valentino's first airport boutique in the Middle East, Emilio Pucci's first airport boutique in the Middle East, Fendi and Jimmy Choo, and the first Emporio Armani Ristorante and Emporio Armani Caffe at airports globally.

QDF also observed strong revenue growth compared to 2019, driven by a more than 70% increase in Sales-Per-Passenger (SPP) at HIA, confirming QDF's extensive overhaul and expansion of its shopping and dining portfolio during the reduced traffic period during the pandemic.

The HIA expansion, currently in Phase A, will increase HIA's capacity to over 58 million passengers annually by 2022. Phase B, which will commence after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, will increase HIA's capacity to over 60 million passengers.

The ongoing expansion enhances the multi-dimensional offering of the five-star airport and allows passenger flows to connect seamlessly with existing terminals. Passengers will be greeted with a streamlined airport experience, including reduced travel distances for connectivity. Clarity and intuitive direction finding are additional features that travelers will take advantage of. HIA further lowers stress levels while traveling with rainforest and lush gardens as part of its expanded terminal.

MATAR, the Qatari company for Airport Operations and Management, has proactively created consolidated airport operations plan to align and coordinate the activities of key stakeholders and empower them to enhance their readiness for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

MATAR and HIA are also prepared to address the needs of the different groups of passengers expected for the grand event. HIA has a dedicated stand-alone terminal with the main passenger terminal as the central point for processing arrivals and departures of FIFA teams and delegates.

HIA has also introduced staff training to align HIA employees with the airport's critical plans and preparations for the World Cup and align all members with Qatar's goal of producing a successful major tournament.

In 2021 without a doubt, we will see HIA and Qatar Airways become influential entities reaffirmed by the international aviation industries and passenger. As the global travel industry continues to face the pandemic, it is evident that safe airport operations and a safe passenger experience are critical to rebuilding trust in air travel. HIA will continue to strengthen its operations with leading-edge expertise and collaborations to deliver a seamless and safe airport experience for its global passengers.

In 2022, HIA is once again a contender for SKYTRAX's "World's Best Airport 2022" award and aims to maintain its ranking as the Best Airport in the world based on its unrivaled airport operations and service excellence. The SKYTRAX World Airport Awards are based on customer nominations across countries and global airports. The survey assesses passenger satisfaction across 39 key performance indicators for airport services and products, including check-in, arrival, transfer, shopping, security, immigration, and departure. Passengers are encouraged to choose HIA to maintain a leading position by visiting the SKYTRAX World Airport Survey website.