Free Waiting Areas for Departing Passengers During the World Cup

"Matar”, the Qatari company for airports management and operation, has announced the start of operating designated waiting areas for departing passengers at both Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport, from November 17 to December 31, 2022.

His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways Group - according to a tweet via the Qatar Airways Twitter account - said that all passengers, regardless of airline, can enter the passenger waiting area.

He added that the service is provided free of charge by Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport.

Commenting on this announcement, Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport, said: “The start of operating the waiting area for departing passengers at both Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport will provide a wonderful and additional opportunity to experience attending the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. ™.

The waiting areas are part of the airport’s initial operations plan, which aims to improve the overall flow at both airports and accommodate thousands of visitors at any given time throughout the tournament.”

Commenting on the expected number of visitors arriving at both airports during the tournament, Al Meer said: “We expect to receive approximately 44,000 visitors per day – via approximately 900 daily flights.”

The waiting areas at both airports will provide a smooth and exciting experience for fans.

The waiting area at Doha International Airport will be able to receive up to 12,000 passengers per day, while the capacity of its counterpart at Hamad International Airport will be 24,000 passengers per day.

The designated waiting areas will only be available to passengers arriving at Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport more than four hours and up to eight hours before their scheduled flight departures on the same day, regardless of which airline they are traveling with.

The waiting areas at Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the waiting area will include a number of restaurants and shops, play areas, a children’s football field, quiet areas, and special places for storing baggage allowance, flight information displays, plus free Wi-Fi

Passengers can reach the waiting area at Hamad International Airport by taking a dedicated bus from the T1 metro station at the airport.

As for passengers who want to reach the waiting area at Doha International Airport, they can either use a taxi or take public transportation to the Old Airport metro station.

It is worth noting that the waiting area does not include the reservation service for flights, so passengers can either complete travel procedures via the Internet and websites or at Hamad International Airport or Doha International Airport.