Qatar Airways has recently revealed its latest addition to the lounge offerings at Doha’s Hamad International Airport – The Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden. Set in the newly expanded North section of the airport, this lounge boasts stunning views of the Orchard Garden and provides a one-of-a-kind experience for premium passengers. With a strong emphasis placed on natural beauty, comfort, wellness, and nature, this lounge is set to provide travelers with a luxurious and rejuvenating airport experience.

The Garden: A World-Class Lounge

The Garden, a section of the Al Mourjan Business Lounge, covers a vast area of 7,390 square meters and has the capacity to hold up to 707 passengers. Positioned in the heart of ‘The Orchard,’ an indoor green space that showcases more than 300 trees and 25,000 plants, the lounge is built to maximize natural light, making it a tranquil and refreshing spot for travelers to unwind before their flight. Qatar Airways’ elite customers can expect a luxurious travel experience featuring a wide range of dining and shopping choices.

Facilities at The Garden

To ensure passengers have a pleasant airport experience, the lounge is equipped with a comprehensive selection of essential and luxurious amenities. The spa facilities, fitness studio, nursery, relaxation, and quiet rooms, game room, and pedicure/manicure stations are all available for passengers to enjoy. The gym has a variety of workout equipment, such as treadmills and elliptical machines, while the spa has seven treatment rooms and automated massage chairs. The lounge’s dining options are equally impressive, with two dining areas situated in the East and West wings. Passengers can indulge in a diverse selection of hot and cold buffets, a coffee bar, and a cocktail station.

HIA’s Lounge Portfolio

HIA has a variety of airport lounges available to passengers, particularly those traveling on Qatar Airways’ premium services. The Al Safwa First Lounge is exclusively for Qatar and Oneworld first-class passengers, providing a distinct minimalist ambiance and is regarded as one of the world’s top lounges. In addition to The Garden’s counterpart lounge in the South area of HIA, elite passengers can choose from the Platinum, Gold, and Silver lounges located in the South or opt to visit the Al Maha or Orxy Lounges.

Qatar Airways’ Commitment to Excellence

Qatar Airways aims to continuously enhance its services to deliver the ultimate aviation and hospitality experiences to its passengers. The airline’s unwavering commitment to excellence is deeply ingrained in its brand, and The Garden is an excellent example of this dedication. The introduction of this exceptional lounge underscores Qatar Airways’ promise to provide travelers with a refined travel experience, prioritizing comfort, well-being, and nature.

Akbar Al Baker, the Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch of The Garden, saying, “We are thrilled to introduce our esteemed passengers to this magnificent addition to our signature lounge collection. Our newly opened Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden at Hamad International Airport will elevate our passengers’ travel experience to new heights.”

The Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden is a stunning addition to HIA’s elite lounge offerings. The lounge’s emphasis on natural beauty and wellness provides a unique experience for premium Qatar Airways passengers. With a wide range of luxury amenities and dining options, The Garden is an excellent space for travelers to relax and rejuvenate before their flight. Qatar Airways commitment to excellence is evident in the launch of The Garden, and the airline continues to set the standard for aviation and hospitality.

Also, you might be interested in reading: Qatar Airways Welcomes Its First Boeing 737 MAX

Sources

• Source: Simple Flying

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has once again been named the world’s busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic for the year 2022. 

According to data published by The Airports Council International (ACI) this Wednesday, Atlanta leads the list of busiest airports by a large margin, with around 93 million passengers passing through the airport in 2022. That’s more than 256,711 passengers per day, on average, traveling through Atlanta. Following Atlanta is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport with around 73 million passengers in 2022.  

Atlanta has held the number one spot for busiest airport for almost every year since 1998, coming in second only once in 2020 to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Why is Atlanta the Busiest Airport?

Although Atlanta is not a significant tourist destination or an highly populated city, it still holds the title for the busiest airport due to 2 primary reasons:

1. The city’s geographical position in the Eastern part of the United States. Atlanta’s location enables it to be within a two-hour flight of 80% of the US population, making it an important connecting point between cities. 

2. Atlanta’s role as the primary hub for Delta Airlines, which is headquartered in the city. The large majority of flights in Atlanta are from Delta Airlines.

Increasing Trend for Air Travel

The passenger traffic data from ACI for 2022 shows a recovering trend in air travel for Atlanta airport. All airports among the top 10 busiest had an increase in passenger traffic from the previous year, with Atlanta seeing a 23.8% increase; however all but 2 airports (Istanbul and Denver) among the top 10 fell short of their numbers from 2019. Nevertheless, Atlanta’s passenger volume has been increasing steadily since 2020 and is on track to return to its pre-pandemic levels from 2019.

Atlanta Airport Passengers:

2019: 110.5 million

2020: 42.9 million 

2021: 75.7 million

2022: 93.7 million

2023: ?

Will passenger traffic during this year at ATL return or even surpass that of 2019? The Airports Council International believes that a full recovery in global passenger traffic won’t happen until 2024, however Atlanta could reach its pre-pandemic levels sooner.

READ ALSO: The World’s Largest Airports

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-busiest-airports-2022-aci/index.html

https://simpleflying.com/worlds-ten-busiest-airports-2022/

Cover Image: Atlanta Journal Constitution

Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh, is set to receive a major upgrade in the form of a new mega airport. The plans for the King Salman International Airport (KSIA) were recently announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and they include the construction of a facility that will be able to handle up to 150 million passengers per year.

This will make it one of the busiest airports in the world, capable of competing with the likes of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which currently holds the title of the busiest airport in the world, handling over 107 million passengers in 2019.

Read also: AVIATION Busiest Airports in the World

King Salman International Airport to Feature Six Runways and Four Terminals

The airport will be built on a plot of land covering more than 50 square kilometers, and it will feature six runways and four terminals. In addition to serving as a hub for international flights, the airport will also have a dedicated terminal for the country’s national carrier, Saudi Arabian Airlines. The large size of the airport and its multiple runways will allow for a high volume of air traffic and efficient operations.

Sustainability and Modern Technology at the Heart of King Salman International Airport Project

One of the key features of the new airport will be its sustainability. The project aims to achieve a zero-carbon footprint, with a focus on renewable energy sources such as solar power. The airport will also feature state-of-the-art technology to improve the passenger experience, including facial recognition systems for security and automated baggage handling. These modern technologies will not only enhance the convenience and efficiency of the airport, but they will also contribute to its environmentally-friendly initiatives.

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Construction of King Salman International Airport to Take 10 Years with First Phase Opening in 2027

The construction of the King Salman International Airport is expected to take about 10 years to complete, with the first phase set to open in 2027. When completed, it is expected to handle 185 million passengers and 3.5 million tons of cargo by 2050 with its six parallel runways. In addition to the construction of the airport, it has also been reported that a new state-owned airline called RIA will be established. This major infrastructure project will not only provide employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the region, but it will also solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a major player in the global aviation industry.

Read also: Saudi Arabia to Launch a New Flag Carrier – “RIA”

The project is being funded by a combination of private and public investment, and it is expected to create more than 100,000 jobs during the construction phase. This major infrastructure project will not only provide employment opportunities, but it will also stimulate economic growth in the region.

Exciting Future Ahead for International Travel and the Country

The new airport is part of a wider vision for the modernization of Saudi Arabia, which includes a focus on tourism and the development of infrastructure. The country has already made significant progress in this regard, with a number of major construction projects underway, including the development of a new city on the Red Sea coast, NEOM. The King Salman International Airport is just one piece of this puzzle, as Saudi Arabia looks to establish itself as a major player on the global stage.

Overall, the King Salman International Airport is an exciting development for Saudi Arabia and its capital city, Riyadh. The project has the potential to transform the country into a major hub for international travel and to stimulate economic growth. The focus on sustainability and modern technology will also set a new standard for airports around the world. We can’t wait to see the finished product and experience the convenience and efficiency of this state-of-the-art facility.

Sources:

• Simple flying
• Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF)