New Procedures for Separating Runways of Doha and Hamad Airports

Mr. Ahmed Al Ishaq, Director of the Air Navigation Department at the General Authority of Civil Aviation, confirmed the readiness of Qatar’s air navigation to receive the 2022 World Cup with all professionalism and high professionalism.

In an interview with the Qatari newspaper, Al-Sharq, he said that in the context of preparations for the Qatar World Cup 2022, the number of aircraft parking lots has been increased to increase the airport's capacity, which is in line with the program and plan set by the Hamad International Airport administration, which is expected to end at the end of August.

He revealed new procedures for separating runways, as there are two runways at Hamad International Airport and a runway at Doha Airport, and that the new procedures allow 3 planes to land at the same time, and during departure, 3 planes are allowed to take off at the same time, which raises the capacity of the two airports, noting that Coordination in this procedure with Qatar Airways and the management of Hamad International Airport, which in turn provided the necessary support to implement the mentioned procedures.

He confirmed the completion of all preparations to receive the intensity of aircraft traffic during the Qatar World Cup 2022, adding that to enhance the flow of traffic and support safety data, more than 120 air traffic controllers have been placed under intensive training to identify the technical, practical aspects, and Professional requirements to ensure the safety and flow of air traffic and enhance their knowledge of the new atmosphere.

He expected that there would be more than 1,600 air movements per day during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, adding that after the gradual recovery from the repercussions of Corona “Covid-19”, air traffic rates in the State of Qatar increased, ranging between 750 and 800 air traffic per day, which makes the country Qatar is the second most congested country in the Middle East in terms of air traffic.

He said that the number of air traffic controllers has been increased from 70 to 120 for the World Cup, in addition to assistants, engineers, communications, and information systems staff, noting that all observers have undergone intensive training sessions to ensure the flow of air traffic and enhance safety standards.

In a related context, Ahmed Al Ishaq, Director of the Air Navigation Department at the General Civil Aviation Authority, revealed that Qatar possesses an unparalleled device in the Middle East.

The device is a "virtual tower" that will contribute in the future to dispensing with traditional control towers and can be installed anywhere, through which aircraft can be directed through screens and the device.

He added that a number of modern radars have been installed at Doha Airport and Hamad International Airport, and two additional radars will be installed at Hamad Airport soon to contribute to enhancing and supporting aircraft movement on the runways during take-off and landing.

He stressed that the safety rates in the Qatari air traffic reach 100% thanks to the advanced technological devices, the efficiency, and professionalism of the air traffic controllers, who possess the ability, operational efficiency, qualitative qualification and training according to the highest levels of professionalism.