New passenger trains began operating at Hamad International Airport in Doha on November 1, 2016, following the award of an operational safety certificate by the country’s Ministry of Transport and Communications.
The two passenger trains have been designed to shuttle between the South and North nodes of the terminal, significantly reducing travel time through the airport for both arriving and departing passengers.
Departing passengers can board from the South station, located behind the iconic Lamp Bear, which will take them toward the North station located near concourses D and E. Passengers arriving at Hamad Airport can board at the North station, which will take them toward the transfers hall and arrivals immigration located near the South station.
Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, said, “With the opening of the new passenger trains, Hamad International Airport passengers will now benefit from an even better experience when traveling through the airport. The continued investment in Hamad International will ensure that it remains one of the world’s most advanced airports.”
Each train has five carriages and is capable of handling 190 travelers at any given time. The two passenger trains will operate simultaneously in a synchronized manner with the train system remaining operational 24 hours a day. Each trip between the two stations takes 90 seconds, with a 44 second waiting time at each station. Approximate walking time for the same distance is nine minutes.
Badr Mohammed Al Meer, chief operating officer of Hamad International Airport, said, “We are proud to introduce this latest service at our airport with the help and support of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the New Doha International Airport Steering Committee. This is another step toward our commitment of offering our passengers a seamless and effortless journey through our airport. This new service will also facilitate the smooth handling of the ever increasing passenger numbers at our terminal.”