Free short-term parking on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Hamad International Airport

Free short-term parking on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Hamad International Airport until the 16th of August

Hamad International Airport (HIA) has announced that it is giving free short-term parking on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 pm to 07:30 am until the 16th of August.

Posted on HIA Instagram – “For a pleasant experience when picking up your loved ones from #HIAQatar, short-term parking is free from 10 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, until the 16th of August.”

Source : hiaqatar | Image Credit: internationalairportreview

Free short term parking at Hamad International Airport until 6th January 2020

Free short term parking at Hamad International Airport until 6th January 2020

Hamad International Airport (HIA) has posted a travel alert that the use of short-term parking will be available free of charge between 3rd and 6th January 2020 between the hours of 10:00 pm and 3:00 am, as this has been identified as the busy peak period at arrivals. For passengers’ convenience and safety during the peak period, access to the arrival and departure curbsides will be limited and customers are requested to proceed to the short-term car park for free parking during these periods.

Short-Term Parking Rates:

Short-term car parking located at Hamad International Airport passenger terminal has covered and secured parking. Parking charges for your reference.

  • Hourly rate QAR 8 ( up to first 5 hours)
  • Each additional hour or any part thereof will be QAR 5 each (up to 24 hours)
  • Each 24 hour – QAR 135
  • A lost ticket will cost QAR 45,  in addition to the actual tariff for the duration of parking
  • Cash payment can be made at payment machines located on each car park level. Card payments can be made at payment desks located on level one in both east and west car park areas.

Source: dohahamadairport.com

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Over a million visitors visited Qatar in June 2019 – Planning and Statistics Authority

Over a million visitors visited Qatar in June – Planning and Statistics Authority

As many as 1,053,015 people visited Qatar in June 2019, according to recently released figures by the Planning and Statistics Authority,

Various innovative initiatives undertaken by the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) have resulted in a large number of visitors from around the globe coming to Qatar.

Official statistics reveal that 113,302 visitors belong to GCC countries; 76, 666 people from other Arab countries; 21,052 from other African countries; 408,071 from other countries of Asia including Oceania; 338,692 from Europe and 95, 232 visitors came from Americas.

The Qatar Monthly Statistics Bulletin measures ‘visitor-arrivals’ meaning non-residents travelling to Qatar on a short-term basis for all purposes.

June statistics also indicate very good hotel occupancy rate in all-star categories rates at 65 percent in Qatar.

The occupancy rate of 3-star hotels topped the list showing 76 percent occupancy rate followed by 2- and 1-star hotels (75 percent); 4-star hotels (67 percent) and 5-star hotels (61 percent).

The performance of hotel apartments also remained promising in June 2019 showing overall 73 percent occupancy rate.

The ‘Summer in Qatar’ programme which began on June 4 and will conclude on August 16 enabled residents to invite their relatives and friends easily as the country further eased visa processes for their them.

Under the ‘Summer in Qatar’ programme, an electronic visitor authorisation system launched by the Ministry of Interior and QNTC in June this year also helped in facilitating the entry of visitors into the country enabling them to obtain a free visa upon arrival after applying through the online portal: qatarvisaservices.com

Online authorisation system streamlines the application process with 24-hour turnaround time.

To boost tourism in Qatar, the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) last month partnered with Chinese technology giant Huawei in a deal that will help to attract more visitors from the world’s fastest-growing visitor source market.

The partnership saw a Huawei camera crew visit Qatar to capture iconic and historic attractions around the country using the Huawei P30 Pro. The breathtaking images can now be used as wallpaper on Huawei phones.

Huawei also will promote videos taken by Huawei P30 Pro in Qatar through their online channels such as Huawei APP, social media and other video platforms, giving images of Qatar significant exposure to Chinese consumers.

In December last year, Cox & Kings India promoted Qatar as the group’s new preferred destination. The marketing and promotion campaign came as part of a strategic partnership with QNTC aimed at boosting the destination’s profile to attract luxury, business, and independent travellers to visit Qatar.

Nearly 260 Indian travel agents visited Qatar recently to attend a five-day training camp.

Rashed AlQurese, chief marketing & promotion officer, QNTC, had remarked, “We are pleased to be partnering with Cox & King’s group for the destination’s first-ever integrated campaign in India. Qatar is an easily accessible destination within a few hours from most Indian cities making it an attractive destination for travelers looking for short city getaways or a convenient stopover when heading further West.

“India is a priority market for us and we look forward to welcoming Indian visitors in Qatar to discover our destination’s authentic experiences all while enjoying our famed Arabian hospitality.”

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Hamad International Airport named second best airport in the world

Hamad International Airport named second best airport in the world.

The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards have named Hamad International Airport (HIA) as the world’s second-best airport, in this year’s evaluation.

HIA first received this award in 2017 and since then continues to position itself as a leading global aviation hub.

The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards evaluate airports based upon the direct feedback of their readers who vote for their favourite airport across the globe and upon criteria such as access, check-in, security, restaurants, shopping, and design.

And HIA with its focus to redefine airport experiences for travellers from around the world has managed to win this prestigious award based on direct feedback and votes of their readers

According to Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at HIA, “We are very proud to be recognised by our loyal passengers for the seamless airport experience offered by HIA. To be named the World’s Second-Best Airport is a great achievement and testament to HIA’s high international standards. While this is a great recognition, we never rest on our achievements, and constantly evolve to deliver a true unique experience for our passengers.

Jacqui Gifford, Editor-in-Chief at Travel and Leisure, added, “For 24 years, our readers have been voting in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. This annual franchise is a global collection of the top hotels, islands, cities, cruise lines, airlines, and more,” says Gifford. “Brands and properties from all over the world—from Peru to Japan, India to Italy, and right here at home in the United States—are recognized by our audience because they deliver on exceptional experiences, rooted in a sense of place.

HIA has achieved significant milestones within the criteria for which it has been voted as the second-best international airport.

Passengers have been given autonomy for the check-in process through the airport’s Smart Airport Program. Latest technology using a biometric-enabled self-check-in system and bag drop counters have made the process of checking in much more convenient for the passengers.

This has made the entire process faster thereby improving customer experience and allowing more passengers to be managed without the hassle of physical check-in facilities.

HIA has kept safety concerns in mind by increasing its security criterion and capacity for screening in its transfer areas and reducing queuing time, as part of its commitment to providing a seamless transfer experience for passengers and maintaining high levels of security.

HIA has also further improved customer service in the transfer security areas, allowing at least 95 percent of its transfer passengers to queue for under five minutes, which is an industry-leading achievement

The airport’s unique shopping and dining offering spread across 40,000 square meters of combined retail, food and beverage options are also continuously expanding.

HIA competed with some of Skytrax’s top 10 airports. Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) and Zurich Airport, achieving the second position, thanks to its exceptional state-of-the-art facilities.

In addition to sustaining a seamless passenger journey and advancing its technology, HIA is expanding its terminal to strengthen its ability to scale and compete with leading airports while increasing connectivity for airlines and passengers.

The expansion will include retail, dining, first and business lounges in the North Node, hoping to meet the demands of the increasing number of passengers and enhance the comfort and quality of the airport experience.

Furthermore, earlier this year, HIA was named as the fourth-best airport in the world at the Skytrax World Airport Awards.

HIA has been classified as a 5-star airport and only among the five hubs in the world to achieve this remarkable rank.

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Security robot launched at Hamad Airport

Security robot launched at Hamad Airport

Ministry of Interior in cooperation with Internal Security Force today launched a security robot at the Hamad International Airport.

The robot in the form of a scooter can measure pulse rate remotely and also has facial recognition feature inbuilt. Developed locally the robot has cameras and sensors to detect fake currencies, credit cards, abandoned objects and explosive of any kind.

Major Ali Rashid from Lekhwiya was live on social media from the airport and explained the robot’s different features while launching it. He said, “The three-wheel scooter robot is small in size allowing for free mobility across different parts of airport. It has various devices fitted on it that allows it to operate on its own.”

He further explained that a camera stand attached near the side wheel scans every passenger, displaying the person’s face, heart beat, and identity to the official on a screen fitted near its handle. It also includes telemetry to detect stress.

Apart from that there is a small sensor near its footstand that scans for any abandoned luggage and alerts the official. It also includes a money scanner, finger print machine in case the official requires them.

Security robot launched at Hamad Airport - QatarIndians.com

Security robot launched at Hamad Airport – QatarIndians.com

The Airport Security Department developed the robot in collaboration with Lekwiya to upgrade the security at the airport. Brigadier General Issa Al Rumaihi, Director of Airport Security Department, said that the idea of such a security robot and its development was done by a Qatari.

Source Credit: https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/

HIA becomes first airport in the region ready to accept Electronic Bag Tag

HIA becomes first airport in the region ready to accept Electronic Bag Tag

Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Qatar Airways have successfully completed the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Electronic Bag Tag (EBT) readability tests, making HIA the first airport in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region confirmed ready to accept EBTs.

The programme aims to provide a more seamless travel experience for passengers, including reduced time spent in queues, a simplified baggage drop process and increased relaxation time at the airport, as well as providing greater operating and carbon efficiency. In the future customers will have a permanent electronic bag tag removing the need to print and apply traditional bag tags. Qatar Airways and HIA are taking the lead on re-inventing the passenger journey.

HIA Vice-President Commercial and Marketing, Abdulaziz Al Mass, said: “Hamad International Airport is one of the most advanced airports in the world, and is accelerating its digital transformation moved by the ambition to become the ‘airport of the future’ with the passenger at the core of our business.”

Gearing up to welcome 50 million passengers in the years to come, HIA is going a step further in implementing its Smart Airport Programme aimed at empowering passengers through cutting-edge technologies. The airport’s passenger-centric approach is designed to give passengers full control and independence over their journey, from arrival and transfers to boarding, achieving minimal and seamless connection time.

“We are glad to be the first in the region to have confirmed the capability to use electronic baggage tags with IATA, and we will continue to invest in smart technologies to provide our passengers with a smooth and seamless travel experience.”, said Hamad International Airport Vice President Operations, Ian Metsovitis.

HIA is thriving to introduce automated processes and self-service at every touch point of the travel journey in order to facilitate faster passenger movement within the terminal, while complying with the highest standards for service quality, security and safety.

Qatar Airways Group has an established track record of early adoption of technological and operational innovations, making it a logical choice for IATA to collaborate with in conducting these trials.

Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security, said: “Qatar Airways’ and Hamad International Airport’s decision to accept Electronic Bag Tags (EBTs) following a successful trial is a significant step towards the global acceptance of EBTs. The IATA Global Passenger Survey reconfirmed that this is something passengers want to use, and the trial proves that the tags are compatible with existing baggage systems. IATA calls on other countries to accept these tags. We thank Qatar Airways for its support of this trial, which again demonstrates its commitment to excellence for all customers”.

The Ground Services team that provides passenger check-in and baggage receipt for Qatar Airways, see this successful trial of electronic bag tags at HIA as a significant step forward in providing customers self-service options.

Passengers not travelling with Qatar Airways will also benefit from this world-leading EBT capability through Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) – Qatar Airways Group’s award-winning ground handling company – which handles all baggage through HIA airport.

Source Credit: https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/

MoI urges residents to update their data to use e-gates

MoI urges residents to update their data to use e-gates

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has urged residents, who have renewed their passports, to update their data through data devices at Hamad International Airport or at the General Directorate of Passports or other service centers so that they can use the e-gate facility at the airport.

The ministry tweeted on their official Arabic Twitter account that now all residents with valid Resident ID can use the electronic gates (e-gate) at Hamad International Airport for departure and arrival. There are no charges for this service.

This helps in reducing crowd at the immigration counters and residents can save a lot of time. Many travellers were seen praising the free e-gate facility on social media for its swiftness and ease-of-use.
Family with kids under the age of 18 can’t use the e-gate.

The e-gate service is accessible to expatriates above 18 years of age, using their Qatari ID cards. They are required to scan the ID card on the card reader machine installed at e-gate. Followed by fingerprint or eye scan (retina scan). If data on the ID and biometrics/ retina matches, the system will open the gate.

Every resident is urged to get their fingerprint scanned at the small office situated near the departure gates. The process is very fast and gets over in less than 1-2 minutes. After this registration, one can use the fingerprint scanner to pass through the e-gates and this is much more efficient and also easier than retina scan.

Source Credit: https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Hamad International Airport to get a smart traveller system

Hamad International Airport to get a smart traveller system

The Hamad International Airport (HIA) has emerged as one of the most secure and safest airports in the world thanks to state-of-the-art technology and devices introduced in the airport, a senior official said yesterday.

HIA is gearing up to implement its ambitious smart traveler system that will allow passengers to complete all procedures electronically. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently ranked Qatar as one of the world’s top countries in implementing civil aviation security standards.

Of the six million people who traveled through the Hamad International Airport (HIA) in the first quarter of this year, about 850,000 passengers used the e-gate service, which is now available for citizens and expatriates free of charge.

“There is an increase in the number of passengers who used e- gates during the first quarter of this year, which registered 850,000 passengers, that was achieved by the great efforts exerted by all bodies working at the airport,” Col. Muhammad Rashid Al Mazroui, Director of Airport Passports Department said in a press conference yesterday.

“The Department now has the latest systems in the process of checking the travel documents, through sophisticated devices which can identify any fraud attempts, including technological devices with high capabilities.
Also the database of the devices is constantly updated to keep pace with passports of all types and forms,” Col. Muhammad Rashid Al Mazroui, Director of Airport Passports Department added.

Airport Security Department Director Brigadier Essa Arrar Al Rumaihi said that the Airport Security Department is working to complete its new vision by implementing the smart traveller system in cooperation with the authority of Hamad International Airport and the Airport Passports Department.

Once this system is implemented, the traveller will be able to complete all procedures electronically without the interference of any human element like passing the inspection devices, completion of travel procedures, weighing bags, issuance of boarding pass, use of e-gates and then boarding the plane. Passengers’ security checks will be completed without the presence of security staffs.

“This system will make easier for the traveller to complete the travel procedures in a healthy atmosphere through sophisticated electronic methods,” said the official. He said Qatar has made a significant leap in the field of civil aviation security through the efforts of Airport Security Department, which has introduced a number of new inspection devices inside the airport.

These devices have contributed to enhancing the security aspects inside the airport by facilitating the movement of passengers eliminating queues. They are being used for the first time in the world at HIA and are meant for screening and luggage searches and are linked to cameras to detect any obstructions with passengers. The airport security personnel were also trained on how to use and benefit from them, said Al Rumaihi.

He added that the department has so far trained more than 1,000 security personnel to learn all the security tasks inside the airport. It has also attracted Qatari citizens holding secondary school certificate and enrolled them in various courses of foundation, specialization, and advancement.

The press conference was held to announce results of a report released by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which ranked Qatar as one of the World’s top countries in implementing civil aviation security standards.

Chairman of Qatar Aviation Authority Abdullah bin Nasser Turki Al-Subaiei, Airport Security Department Director Brigadier Essa Arrar Al Rumaihi, and HIA Chief Operating Officer Engineer Badr Muhammad Al Meer were also present.

The results showed that Qatar scored 99.1 percent in applying the guidelines of annex 17 on Safeguarding International Civil Aviation Against Acts of Unlawful Interference. Qatar also scored 96.76 percent in implementing safety management and 100 percent in annex 9 on facilitation.

Al Subaiei commended the great support that the civil aviation system in Qatar receives from the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Than and Minister of Transport and Communications, H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti which has made great impact on achieving noticeable position in the world that reflected in the results of the ICAO Universal Security Audit released in last February.

Source Credit: https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/

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