Hamad International Airport marks a year of operational strength and global connectivity in 2025

Hamad International Airport (HIA) concluded 2025 following a year of sustained operational performance, reinforcing its position as a global gateway for Qatar. Serving 54.3 million passengers, the airport delivered smooth, efficient operations that supported the nation’s connectivity, trade, tourism, and international event hosting ambitions. Built on a passenger-centric design and long-term resilience, HIA consistently delivered accessible, sustainable, and high-quality services, sustaining performance at scale.

Operational Highlights
Overall passenger traffic grew by 3%, with the third quarter emerging as the busiest, welcoming a record 14.3 million passengers. August marked a milestone month, with HIA handling more than 5 million travellers in a single month for the first time. The airport also handled 282,975 aircraft movements, representing a 1% increase compared to the previous year.

A total of 2.59 million tonnes of cargo was handled over the year, slightly declining year-on-year amid global market shifts. Overall on-time performance remained strong at 85%.

Expanding Global Connectivity
HIA continued to strengthen its network, working with 57 airline partners across 2025. New carriers including Virgin Australia, Georgian Airways, and Smartwings joined the network, while Qatar Airways’ expansion supported the addition of new destinations such as Aleppo and the Red Sea, further enhancing Qatar’s global reach.

Supporting Qatar as a Growing World-Class Destination
Passengers travelling to and from Doha reached 13.5 million in 2025, reflecting a 5.4% increase in point-to-point passengers compared to the previous year. Demand was driven by growth in tourism, trade, and major international events. As a critical enabler of Qatar’s global ambitions, HIA provided the infrastructure andfirs operational capability required to support world-class events, including FIFA tournaments, cultural festivals, and high-profile summits, conferences, and exhibitions.

Capacity and Infrastructure Readiness
Facility enhancements completed in 2025 focused on operational flexibility along with scale, aligning infrastructure readiness with evolving demand patterns. The integration of Concourses D and E added 17 new contact gates, increasing boarding bridge capacity and reducing reliance on remote stands and bus transfers.

These upgrades made passenger transfers at HIA quicker, smoother, and easier, reinforcing the airport’s ability to operate efficiently during peak periods.

Experience and Accessibility
Customer experience remained a core priority throughout 2025, with the airport achieving a consistent 98% passenger satisfaction rate, including during periods of peak demand. Enhancements focused on comfort and inclusion across the passenger journey.

Early in the year, HIA unveiled a series of interactive art installations by Gillie and Marc, displayed throughout The ORCHARD to create engaging and immersive visual experiences for passengers. The year concluded with live performances by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, allowing travellers to experience Qatar’s rich artistic and national heritage firsthand.

Accessibility advanced by progressing to Level 2 of the ACI Airport Accessibility Accreditation Programme, reflecting continued improvements across facilities, processes, and staff capability to better support passengers with diverse needs.

As part of this ongoing focus, the Sunflower Program will be launched to offer discreet, recognisable support for passengers with hidden disabilities across the airport journey.

Sustainability in Practice
In 2025, HIA achieved zero waste to landfill across its entire airport campus, encompassing terminal operations, airside areas, and shared facilities used by partners and stakeholders. Waste diversion is delivered through recycling, composting, and energy recovery, embedding responsible resource management into daily operations.

This milestone reflects coordinated action across the airport community and aligns with Qatar’s broader environmental objectives, positioning sustainability as an operational standard rather than a standalone initiative.

Looking Ahead: 2026
As the airport enters 2026, focus shifts from expansion to optimisation and system performance. Planned works include eastern runway remediation to ensure compliance with ICAO safety standards, delivered through phased planning to maintain operational continuity.

These investments reflect HIA’s continued emphasis on safety, reliability, and coordinated delivery, ensuring the airport remains equipped to support the nation’s expanding connectivity and operational excellence for airlines, partners, and travellers.