HIA, Qatar Airways expect 4 million passengers across 170 destinations

Doha, Qatar: Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Qatar Airways have unveiled comprehensive operational readiness plans as the airline prepares for a high-demand winter season.

During a media tour held yesterday at HIA, officials noted that with operations spanning more than 170 destinations worldwide, the carrier expects approximately 4 million passengers to travel through its global network and hub during the upcoming winter months.

Speaking to the press, Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, Hamad Ali Al-Khater, said, “We have indeed managed to overcome a major phase, despite the significant challenge we faced on February 28. Thankfully, we have now reached approximately 90 to 95 percent of the passenger numbers we recorded this year. Load factors on our aircraft are very high, and we have expanded from around 60 destinations to 160 destinations.”Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, Hamad Ali Al-Khater speaking to the press during the media briefing.

The announcement follows robust performance figures recorded between January and August 2026, during which the airline operated 96,031 passenger flights. Backed by a diverse fleet of 239 passenger aircraft, Qatar Airways averages more than 510 daily flights across its extensive international route network.

“Since mid-June, operations have continued to recover, and next year, we will receive new aircraft, including the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 777-9,” Al-Khater said. “The Qsuite Next Gen is also expected to be available across our fleet starting next summer.”

At the core of the passenger experience is Hamad International Airport, boasting an annual capacity exceeding 65 million passengers across an expansive 845,000-square-meter single terminal. To streamline transit during peak periods, HIA features 138 check-in counters and 62 contact gates, complemented by the world-famous 6,000-square-meter indoor tropical garden, The Orchard.

HIA also launched a complimentary ‘Travel Recovery Studio’ at the Concourse C Orchard, open from September 6 to October 25, 2026, to help travelers unwind between flights. Guided by expert instructors, the 20-minute wellness sessions blend light stretching, breathing techniques, and red light therapy mats to relieve tension and boost comfort.

Meanwhile, ground services have recorded 9.4 million departing passenger journeys during the first seven months of 2026 alone. Innovation continues to drive efficiency at the hub, with 319,000 passengers using self-service check-in kiosks and 74,000 using self-service bag drops.

“Passenger traffic at Hamad International Airport has reached more than 140,000 passengers per day,” the Group CEO said.

“Other airlines have also begun resuming their flights.”

Additionally, HIA has deployed ‘Fast Pass’ biometric technology across more than 700 touch points with approximately 27,000 passengers already enrolled, significantly accelerating passenger flow. Additional staffing, mobile kiosks, and activated check-in facilities have also been rolled out to handle peak traffic seamlessly.

Al-Khater said, “We are also looking at new opportunities and challenges. These include relatively small narrow-body aircraft that give us the capability to reach destinations farther away than those typically served by conventional narrow-body aircraft. This will open up opportunities, God willing, to fly to other destinations, including what are known as secondary airports, which were previously difficult for us to serve.”

Behind the scenes, Qatar Airways Technical Operations ensures fleet safety and reliability through comprehensive in-house maintenance, ranging from routine checks to full structural overhauls. Supported by more than 20 specialised workshops in Doha covering avionics, cabin interiors, and component repairs, the airline ensures its fleet remains pristine.

Notably, the carrier is painting wide-body aircraft exteriors through December 2026 while expanding its cutting-edge connectivity.

Qatar Airways also operates the world’s first and largest Starlink-equipped wide-body fleet, with over 150 aircraft equipped and 30 Boeing 787-9 aircraft scheduled for high-speed connectivity integration by year-end.

Officials added that the Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) is overseeing the airline’s global operations. The IOC, operating round the clock, brings together top-tier specialists, advanced technology, and real-time data to monitor global routes.

Through dynamic re-routing, schedule adjustments and crew re-briefings, the IOC maintains high operational resilience against disruptions beyond Qatar’s borders, ensuring smooth operations throughout the winter season.

“As we continue our journey as what we believe to be the world’s best airline, the next five years will usher in a new phase of growth,” Al-Khater added.