DOHA: Doha International Airport (DIA) recorded an impressive year with 23.27 million passenger traffic in 2013, a growth of 9.93 percent compared to 21.16m passengers went through it in 2012.
The airport has also experienced a 4.7 percent growth in overall cargo traffic year-on-year.
DIA has seen a year-on-year growth during every month in 2013, which underlined an ever-growing importance of Doha as an international hub.
Summer vacations, Eid, Haj, National Day and New Year holidays seen the maximum rush. DIA has also witnessed a 7.9 percent annual increase in aircraft movements in 2013.
The growth rate comes as Qatar gears up for the opening of Hamad International Airport.
“DIA went to great measures to plan ahead and ensure high levels of coordination with the respective authorities and service providers in order to enrich our passengers’ travel experience. The strong cooperation between parties enabled us to extend a seamless and hassle free process for our passenger, who are at the heart of everything we do at DIA, said Abdulaziz Al-Mass, Senior Public Relations and Communications Manager, DIA.
2014 is expected to see an increase in cargo traffic as DIA’s cargo facility enhances its unique offering, with the introduction of two new unique services, Q Pharma and Q Fresh, which will optimise the transportation of time and temperature sensitive goods, including high-value pharmaceutical products and perishables. The growth in the cargo market has fuelled massive expansion, and with the recently announced commercial agreement between Qatar Airways and IAG Cargo, an optimal level of service, convenience and flexibility will be delivered to worldwide cargo customers.
The inbound mail to Qatar has increased by over 20 percent year-on-year, but overall mail traffic has dropped by 1.5 percent in comparison to 2012, due to a decrease in outbound mail.
December 2013 has recorded the significant passenger traffic growth of over 13 percent compared to the same month of the previous year. Aircraft movements also contributed to a successful December with almost 7.5 percent year-on-year growth.
Despite operating over capacity throughout the year, DIA management has taken a range of measures to ensure passenger comfort and has invested significantly in infrastructure improvements, including additional check-in gates, more aircraft parking bays, and expanded terminal facilities to provide passengers with a comfortable, safe and enjoyable travel experience.
The Peninsula
