Qatar expected to receive 16,000 football fans daily through two airports

Qatar will host 22nd  competition in November and seems like it will attract even more visitors than usually. Doha is among top 10 busiest international routes in the region. Report from 2021. places it in the top ten airports, with the highest international patronage (17,701,978). It is ranked sixth in the Airports Council International (ACI), behind Dubai, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris airports. The number of visitor has already spiked over the past year, months ahead of the World Cup.

According to global travel data provider, the route from Hamad International Airport to the Cairo International Airport had 58,071 seats, putting it in the ninth place in the African category, while the route from Doha to London Heathrow takes place among top 10 busiest International routes by region.

The much-awaited 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament is estimated to attract over 16,000 spectators through Qatar’s two airports daily. It is expected Qatar to welcome over 1.5 millions football enthusiasts overall during the tournament. Qatar Airway’s Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker says that between these two airports, Doha International Airport will process about 5,000 to 6,000 fans per day, while Hamad International Airport will process about 8,000 to 10,000 fans per day.

The conclusion has arisen from signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the national carrier and four Gulf Airlines to take care of the fan’s transportation from and to the nation. According to the agreement, Fly Dubai will bring up to 2,700 fans per day with 30 daily rotations, and Kuwait Airways is set to bring 1,700 fans with 10 daily rotations. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will bring the highest number – 10,000 fans with up to 30 daily rotations. Oman Air will bring 3,400 fans with 24 daily rotations. Akbar Al Baker also says “The FIFA World Cup Qatar will be the first in Middle East and Arab world, and we have always believed that a win for Qatar is a win for the region”.

It is also agreed between two parties to launch shuttle flights on the match-days between Doha and several regional cities. It will make football fans within the region non-obligated to stay in Qatar to attend football matches. To make it easier for the travelers, there won’t be a check-in baggage policy.

Given the expected incoming surge of demand, many have voiced their worries over the significant price increase for tickets to Qatar while the tournament is ongoing.