$14 bn new Doha airport to be opened in 2011.

DOHA The $14 billion New Doha International Airport (NDIA) spread over an area of 22 square kilometres will have the capacity to handle 24 million passengers and 1.4 million tonnes of cargo every year when it opens in 2011, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Abdul Aziz al Noaimi has said. Inaugurating the three-day Doha Aviation Summit on Sunday, Noaimi said that the new airport would be approximately two-thirds the size of the city -- 12 times larger than the existing airport. "The New Doha International Airport will be one of the most advanced airports in the world, staying true to its goal of becoming Qatar's gateway to the future. NDIA's premium terminal facilities, operational efficiency and reputation for passenger convenience, will rival the world's best airports. "This, coupled with its unique architecture and glittering waterside location, will ensure a world-class airport experience that leaves a spectacular and lasting impression on tourists and business visitors alike," he remarked. Noaimi added: "The idea is to address the needs of a booming Qatar for a fastpaced infrastructure development to support the country's continued growth. "The The New Doha International Airport will boost revenue generated by much larger volume of passengers and cargo besides providing job opportunities to the local community." According to him, the NDIA Steering Committee had awarded the contract to Bechtel, the biggest engineering firm of the US, to carry out construction and manage the airport. Speaking about Qatar Airways, he said that the airline was working towards expanding its fleet by 90 aircraft next year and carrying 13,000,000 passengers by the end of this year. According to Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al Baker, the airline has continued to buy more than one aircraft every month right since the economic downturn hit the aviation industry across the world. Qatar Airways has ordered for 220 planes worth $40 billion. The airline is reportedly going to launch soon a flight to Australia, another new destination. Meanwhile, the participants in the summit, including a galaxy of experts from around the world, discussed oil price fluctuations, credit crunch, the financial crisis, increased concerns about aviation security, carbon emissions and the uncertain global economic situation. The speakers also emphasised the need for liberalisation of ownership and regulatory laws, stability of fuel prices as well as low carbon emission in the current scenario. Among the experts who participated in the debate were, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Yap Ong Heng, CEO of NATS, Lawrence Hoskins, Secretary-General of Arab Air Carriers Organisation, Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Vice- President of International Business Development of Raytheon Network Centric Systems, Jerry Tobey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Fuel Optimisation of Qatar Airways and Captain Chris Schroeder.

Copyright Qatar Tribune. All Rights Reserved.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company