Hamad International Airport (HIA) welcomed a delegation from Salalah International Airport (SLL) and held a tour of the airport premises as part of the cooperation between the two airports in the areas of security and customs. Through the tour, the delegation learned about HIA's facilities, cutting-edge technology and visited the cargo terminal to familiarise itself with its operations ahead of the opening of the cargo terminal at SLL.
HIA, which received the 'Best Airport in the Middle East' 2018 Skytrax award, began the tour at the departures terminal where members of the SLL delegation observed the automated check-in machines and the security techniques used to access the boarding gates. SLL guests also visited HIA's two-story cargo facility, covering 55,000 square metres, which handled two million tonnes of cargo in 2017. The tour continued to Al Safwa First Class Lounge, Oryx Airport Hotel and Vitality Wellness Centre, which features a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym, two squash courts and a spa.
Commenting on the tour, Abdulaziz al Mass, vice-president Commercial and Marketing at Hamad International Airport, said:"We are pleased to welcome and host Salalah International Airport officials at the airport and share our experience in managing airport operations smoothly while maintaining the highest levels of safety and security. We are committed to further cooperation to contribute effectively to the aviation sector's development." SLL guests were also shown HIA's cutting-edge technology developed in support of the smart airport programme, ranging from self-service check-in and baggage drop kiosks to HIA's fully automated baggage systems as well as security screening in transit areas; all of which contribute towards the airport's commitment in providing a seamless travel experience to its passengers and maintaining world-class standards of safety and security.
HIA further showcased services it offers passengers such as the dual passenger train service, which connects the south node of the terminal with concourses A and B with north node of the terminal, with concourses D and E as well as the award-winning Qatar Duty Free offering 40,000 square metres of combined retail, food and beverage options. Guests were also shown some of the pieces from HIA's Art programme such as the newly installed 'Cosmos' by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel as well as 'Small Lie' by American artist KAWS. The past few years has seen a stronger collaboration between Qatar and Oman within the air transport industry.
In 2017, HIA welcomed Oman's carrier Salam Air, the Sultanate's first budget airline, to its network of airlines. The new route offers travellers convenient timing, affordable travel alternatives and connectivity to a wider network of destinations. Qatar Airways also started its first non-stop flight from Doha to Sohar last year, which made it its third destination in the Sultanate of Oman, including Muscat and Salalah.
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