As soon as the fans prepare down to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country’s largest airport this week announced a large new indoor jungle, flooded with natural light, that will serve as a new central lounge at the airport. It’s a sight you’ll definitely notice the next time you pass by Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), is an important international hub, especially for those flying on its flagship airline, alliance member Oneworld Qatar Airways.
The airport celebrated the opening of The Orchard last week, a more than 60,000-square-foot rainforest-like atrium inside its central concourse terminal. As you can see, sunlight floods the space, illuminating its greenery, walkways and mezzanines.
The newly opened space is part of a much larger expansion project package at Hamad International Airport, which first opened in 2014. In addition to infrastructure upgrades such as additional gates, improvements are underway. With an expanded merchandise base and management, Doha officials also unveiled dozens of new shopping and dining options set in a forest-style setting.
As part of the expansion, the airport also added new waiting room and a second hotel on site, the 100-room Oryx Garden Hotel, which will complement the existing Oryx Airport Hotel. A future Al Mourjan Business Lounge will overlook The Orchard’s gardens.
Still, considered the focal point of this expansion, The Orchard boasts plenty of natural light, with 300 trees and 25,000 species of plants from around the world beneath a glass roof, airport officials said. said. The tallest tree reaches more than 50 feet. A large water feature anchors the scene indoors.
Orchard itself can evoke memories of an iconic airport in another part of the world. Some visitors notice that The Orchard has similarities with The Jewel at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)opened in 2019 and also features an expansive glass-enclosed water and forest feature.
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Doha officials see the expansion as a significant growth driver at the airport, predicting it will bring passenger capacity from about 40 million currently to 58 million annually next year.
Future construction that will begin after the new year includes plans for additional gates, lounge space, and rapid transit. Airport officials believe it will increase Hamad’s capacity to 70 million in the future.
The expansion is necessary considering the passenger abandonment expected in Qatar over the next month for the FIFA World Cupbut also considers the airport’s role as a major hub for passengers traveling to other parts of the world.
