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Unrivaled luxury at Qatar’s new airport

DOHA, Qatar -– An amalgam of odors from fresh materials lingered at Hamad International Airport, Qatar’s new gateway that opened on May 27.

The odor gently blended in with the genuine European leather that was used on the airport couches to create an aroma that reminded one of being inside a luxury sports car.

“Since long layovers are typical for travelers using the airport and many flights depart after midnight, the terminal is designed for a more relaxing and luxurious stay,” said an official of Qatar Airways, the largest tenant at the airport.

In reflection of the burgeoning economy of the Gulf nation, luxury adorns every corner of the $16 billion Hamad Airport.

It took almost a decade to build the sprawling ultramodern terminals on the 22-square-kilometer site, half of which is reclaimed from the Arabian Gulf.

It is at the airport that the world’s longest runway is designed and built specifically for the Airbus double-decker A380. It is also home to the world’s largest hangar that can house two A380 jumbo jets at a time.

Inside the airport is a shopping emporium with 70 retail outlets -- including luxury brands such as Hermes, Chanel and Bulgari -- along with 30 cafes and restaurants, luxury business lounges and a public mosque.

An Apple station offers free desktops, recliners, showers, prayer rooms and play areas for kids. Free Wi-Fi service is offered all throughout the airport.

Next year, two transit hotels, squash courts, swimming pools and a sky train will be built in the airport as well.

Meanwhile, the taste of the Qatar royals was prevalent in all the decor.

At the main point of the terminal is a 7-meter-tall Urs Fischer sculpture of a teddy bear impaled by a giant desk lamp. The $6.8 million piece, purchased by a member of the royal family, is one of 28 art installations at the airport.

The country’s flag carrier Qatar Airways is now ramping up efforts to take advantage of its hub airport’s luxury makeover.

The airline recently started operating two A380 aircrafts on the long-haul routes to London and Paris and plans to introduce dozens of the jumbo aircraft in phases in the coming years.

Among other things, it poured considerable resources into its 10,000-square-meter Al Mourjan Business Lounge. Equivalent to the size of 10 Olympic pools, it is the largest airport lounge in the world.

Exclusively available to Qatar’s and Oneworld’s first- and business-class passengers, the premium lounge boasts private workstations, luxurious shower rooms and family rooms for those traveling with children.

For dining, passengers can choose buffet or a la carte; venues include brasseries, a deli, a bar and a patisserie.

The carrier also plans to add more lounges, including the ultraluxurious Al Safwa First Class Lounge and those specifically for economy-class and handicapped passengers.

“At a time when airline companies are putting their priority on luring premium passengers, especially from Asia, for better profits, the new airport will further boost our upscale push,” said the Qatar official.

Considering most of its customers are transit travelers, the company is also beefing up programs for them like a city tour to downtown Doha and a desert safari to promote the key attractions of Doha, as a global transit hub.

The airport saw an 11.36 percent passenger increase to more than 2 million travelers in July compared to a year ago. When its planned expansion finishes next year, its passenger capacity is planned to surge to an annual 50 million people.

By Lee Ji-yoon Korea Herald correspondent (jylee@heraldcorp.com)