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Doha airport unveils expansion which was completed ahead of schedule
Hamad International Airport in Doha,
Qatar, has officially unveiled its highly anticipated Concourses D and E, marking a major milestone in its expansion and increasing its capacity to over 65 million passengers annually.
The new concourses integrate seamlessly into the existing terminal, introducing cutting-edge technology and enhanced facilities to meet growing passenger demand. The terminal now spans 845,000 square metres – a 14 % increase – while the addition of 17 new aircraft contact-gates increases the total to 62, nearly 40 % more than before, ensuring greater connectivity, streamlined operations and significantly reducing bus transfers.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said:“ Hamad International Airport is more than a gateway; it is a vital pillar of Qatar’ s growth and global connectivity. I am pleased to see this expansion project, with conclusion of both concourses going live, which I have personally been involved with since 2018.
“ While many global airport expansions have faced delays, we are proud to have delivered this major development ahead of schedule. This achievement reflects our commitment to operational excellence and strategic planning. This is not just about increasing capacity – it is about strengthening the entire Qatar Airways network, enhancing operational resilience and supporting Qatar’ s economic growth in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. This development allows us to meet the evolving demands of global travel while reinforcing Qatar’ s position as a leading aviation hub.”
Eastward shift of capital points to a permanent realignment of global finance
The Middle East is at the centre of a fundamental transformation as global capital flows shift towards new engines of growth, according to Selim Kervanci, Chief Executive Officer, Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye( MENAT) at HSBC Bank Middle East. He said:“ Traditional financial centres are adapting to a world where the Middle East and Asia are driving rather than following global investment trends.”
Kervanci was speaking at the HSBC MENAT Future Forum, held in the Four Seasons, Jumeriah, Dubai. In its ninth year, the forum is one of the region’ s largest private gatherings of international
investors, regulators, exchanges and market participants. With attendance at an all-time high, topping the 800 attendees of 2024, delegates from MENAT markets gathered with global investors to discuss opportunities in the region and particularly its growing corridor with Asia.
Commenting on current liquidity conditions, Kervanci said:“ Public and private markets are reshaping investment and capital flows with the Middle East and Asia emerging as the new centre of gravity. Structural reforms across the Middle East, coupled with agile policymaking, have fundamentally altered the region’ s investment landscape. The growing opportunities in the two regions are creating one of the most significant shifts in the global economy, driven by the Middle East’ s investment-led economic transformation, the GCC and Asia’ s rising wealth and the necessity of transitioning to sustainable economies.” x
Selim Kervanci, CEO, MENAT at HSBC Bank Middle East, speaking at the forum
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