Qatar, a country in Western Asia that will host the FIFA World Cup this year said that the Doha International Airport (DIA), which has been closed for the longest time, will reopen starting next week.
The decision to reopen Doha International Airport comes as Qatar prepares to welcome over a million visitors during the FIFA World Cup 2022. The move is expected to relieve congestion at Hamad International Airport, Doha which is currently the sole international airport in Qatar.
Doha International Airport (DIA)
It should be noted that up until the opening of Hamad International Airport on May 27, 2014, Doha International Airport served as Qatar’s primary commercial international airport.
Despite the fact that all regularly scheduled commercial traffic has ceased, the Qatar Emiri Air Force, Qatar Amiri Flight, Rizon Jet, Gulf Helicopters, and Qatar Aeronautical College continue to use the airport site and the current runway.
Flight Operations at Doha International Airport
The FIFA World Cup 2022 is expected to bring millions of fans from all over the world to the country. Several airlines from around the world have begun to sell tickets to Doha International Airport.
Qatar officials have not commented on the return of flights from Hamad to Doha airport, but Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways, the UAE’s flydubai, Oman’s SalamAir, and Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines have begun selling tickets to Doha airport as of September 15.
Jazeera Airways
Low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways said on its website that from next Thursday “all of our regular Doha flights will be temporarily moved to Doha International Airport.” In a message to passengers, the airline said the change was “following the instructions of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority” and would last until 30 December.
From November 22nd, there will be up to 5 daily Doha flights: 4 to Hamad and 1 to International. 1x daily will return on December 20th, according to its booking engine. It will still be to Doha International, with Hamad scheduled to return on December 31st.
- Kuwait to Doha: 06:00-07:20 (Hamad), 13:00-14:20 (International), 14:00-15:20 (Hamad), 17:00-18:20 (Hamad), 23:00-00:20+1 (Hamad)
- Doha to Kuwait: 01:05-02:25 (Hamad), 08:05-09:25 (Hamad), 15:20-16:40 (International), 16:05-17:25 (Hamad), 19:05-20:25 (Hamad)
Salam Air
Salam Air, an Oman-based low-cost carrier, lists both airports on its official website, but only the route between Muscat and Doha Hamad is bookable, implying that more changes are on the way.
- OV235 will depart Oman at 17:00 and arrive in Qatar at 17:35 local time, four times per week. OV236 will then leave at 18:35 and return at 21:00.
Pegasus Airlines
Pegasus Airlines, also known as Flypgs, a Turkish low-cost carrier, plans to serve Doha International exclusively. On September 14th, the first flight to the old airport will depart from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen.
According to Pegasus’ website, the frequency will increase to 8x weekly beginning October 20th and up to 12x weekly during the World Cup. Its schedule is as follows, with all times listed in local time. Its Flights will be rerouted to Hamad International beginning December 30th.
- Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen to Doha: 20:50-00:55+1 (International); 23:35-03:40+1 (International)
- Doha to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen: 02:00-06:30 (International); 04:45-09:15 (International)
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