Hamad International Airport Ready for Returnees After Summer Vacation Break

The Airport Passport Department announced that HIA (Hamad International Airport) is ready to receive passengers returning from their summer vacation. The passengers can now complete their verification process in just three simple steps: 

• Electronic reading of the passport, 
• Verification of Visa Permit or Residence Permit, and
• Eye Scanning, where all the airport employees are ready to deal with the passengers and help them. 

“The airport has been equipped with state-of-the-art technology and world-class solutions that will ensure the passenger entry process is as smooth and convenient as possible. The airport’s arrival lounges have been planned and designed efficiently to handle 6000 persons per hour, at 60 counters, classified into different categories. Eight for Al Maha services, eight for Qatar Airways (first class businessmen), ten for GCC nationals, twenty-two for other nationalities, four for ladies, two for other business classes, and ten for families.  Moreover, sixteen e-gates are designed to speed up the flow of passengers. “A team of special employees has also been deployed to help in case the flow of incoming passengers becomes high due to the landing of more than one plane at a time,” said Muhammad Rashid al Mazroui (Director of Airport Passport Department).

Al Mazroui also requested that all arriving or departing travellers use e-Gates to save time. He said staff members are monitoring the entire process on a large screen and assisting in case passengers have any troubles.

Airport officials would always be present. If many aircraft arrived at the same time, the officials would direct the passengers to counters that had shorter queues so they could process about 2,580 passengers an hour for immigration procedures.

Al Mazroui also mentioned the new passport screening device at the airport, which is the best in the world. If the immigration officer has queried any passport, then that would be sent to this device for verification. The device can check the passport for any manipulation or fraud and misrepresentation in the data or photo.

(Head, Passports Section Airport) said, “The staff at the Airport was working 24 hours in 4 shifts, each shift constituting 136 employees, and was facilitating a quick process for travellers. Verification of passport lasts only 25 seconds for Qatari residents, 10 seconds for GCC citizen and 35 seconds for visitors”

Daily, 34,000 passengers go through the counters of HIA, and it has successfully handled 2.365 million passengers since its opening.