Qatar to expand key airport in preparation for FIFA WC 2022

Qatar has announced a project to expand the Hamad International Airport to handle over 60 million passengers as part of its preparation for World Cup 2022.

"The expansion project includes 11,720 square meters of retail and food and beverage space, a 10,000-square meter indoor tropical garden and a 268-quare meter water feature," Xinhua quoted CEO of Qatar Airways Akbar Al Baker as saying at a press conference in Doha on Tuesday.

It had already been announced that the airport's capacity will be increased to handle over 53 million passengers a year by 2022 when Qatar hosts the FIFA World Cup.

A new cargo terminal will also be built, increasing its cargo-handling capacity to an estimated 3.2 million ton a year by 2023.

The Hamad International Airport opened in 2014 with a capacity of handling around 30 million passengers a year.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held from November 21-December 18.