Hamad International Airport Welcomed 7.8 Million Passengers in the Second Quarter of 2018

Doha, July 18 (QNA) - Hamad International Airport (HIA) has served a total of 7.8 million passengers in the second quarter of 2018 according to second quarter results. HIA has handled 53,517 aircraft movements in Q2 2018, achieving an increase of 2.42 percent compared to the previous quarter. HIA has also handled 540,357 tons of cargo in the second quarter of 2018, which is 5 percent more than the amount of cargo handled in the first quarter of the year. The second quarter 2018 report reveals that HIA has served 2,812,114 passengers in April, 2,434,611 passengers in May and 2,645,257 passengers in June, which includes passengers arriving, departing and transferring through HIA. The month of June has particularly been a busy one for Qatar's airport with year-on-year growth of 12.56 percent in passenger figures and 8.9 percent in aircraft movements. The airport also handled 17,503 aircraft movements in April, 17,971 movements in May and 18,043 movements in June, which includes total number of aircraft which have taken off and landed at HIA. HIA has handled 540,357 tons of cargo in the second quarter of 2018, with 177,591 tons in April, 184,372 tons in May and 178,393 tons in June, which reflects a significant climb of 5 percent in comparison with the first quarter of 2018 when the airport handled 514,299 tons of cargo. The second quarter of 2018 has been promising for Qatar's airport hub, emerging strong since the blockade imposed on Qatar last year, confirming positive growth in addition to having achieved the 'Best Airport in the Middle East' award amongst other renowned recognitions earlier this year. HIA has contributed its efforts towards investing in facilities, services, staff and the newest technologies to provide a world-class passenger experience to its travelers. HIA has reinforced its core focus in providing hassle-free and seamless passenger experience by recently announcing its industry-leading transfer security screening capacity and enhanced passenger satisfaction in its transfer areas with highly trained staff and shorter queuing times at security points. It is also enhancing its inclusive features in the terminal for passengers with special needs, including an additional special handling lounge. The airport's continued success reflects HIA's operational excellence and ability to accommodate Qatar Airways' fast expansion as one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft flying to business and leisure destinations across six continents. Hamad International Airport is gearing to welcome more than 50 million passengers by 2022. (QNA)