Ioannis Metsovitis, Senior Vice President of Operations at Hamad International Airport, emphasizes Qatar’s contributions to developing air logistics activities in the region…
As is well known, Hamad International Airport is home to many significant logistical pillars that promote the smooth movement of products and improve supply chain connections, helping to establish the airport’s status as a major logistics centre. Here, we provide all of Ioannis’ exclusive understandings, which we know you won’t want to miss…
Post-Covid
COVID-19 was disruptive for the entire world. In the post-COVID era, carriers invest more in capacity by opening new destinations and increasing frequencies globally. We are seeing a drastic shift to digitalization, which picked up rapidly during COVID. The focus has recently been on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and other cloud-based applications that will simplify and revolutionize air cargo processes and bring transparency and visibility to customers. E-commerce has risen drastically, continuing the trend during COVID-19.
Also, with passenger traffic returning to normal, destinations being reinstated, and new destinations being added, we are seeing the return and increase of belly capacity globally.
Key Driving Pillars
Digitalization and sustainability are the key driving pillars in the air cargo industry. As the world’s leading air cargo carrier, we see it as our responsibility not only to grow our business but to ensure we are contributing to sustainability. This will be our focus for 2023 and beyond in every business area. We will continue to make investments that are key to future growth and benefit our customer’s business.
We launched ‘The Next Generation’ and VISION 2027 in 2022. Qatar Airways Cargo defines its role in the industry through these strategies. The air cargo industry is complex, with many stakeholders involved, and digitalization is a critical driving pillar to alleviate pain points and provide transparency.
FIFA World Cup Navigation
As part of MATAR’s, the Qatar Company for Airports Operation and Management’s Airport Operations Plan, which was implemented and tested during the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, we further enhanced our operations – introducing customer-centric activities and services to deliver a safe, seamless and memorable experience. In addition, we conducted a peer review with aviation authority bodies and organizations who have previously hosted such large-scale events to assess the airport’s readiness and share knowledge.
The robust plan proved its effectiveness throughout the tournament, where we played a vital role – along with other stakeholders – in delivering a successful FIFA World Cup. The project included a dedicated Event Management Centre (EMC) operated 24/7 by experienced staff on-ground, where we coordinated with all stakeholders to ensure smooth connectivity from and to the airport and the city, stadiums, and training facilities.
To ensure that fans had a seamless departure from the country, we introduced the Passenger Overflow Area, where fans could arrive hours before their flight and enjoy what both Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport had to offer before they departed.
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, we inaugurated phase A of our mega expansion plan in November 2022, which included nine projects in total and increased the total area of our facility to 725,000 square meters, offering a host of attractions and industry firsts under one expanded terminal. Our capacity also increased to over 58 million passengers annually – offering an abundance of world-class services, F&B and retail selections – and an indoor tropical garden.
We ended 2022 on a high note, welcoming over 35 million passengers, and we saw an increase in aircraft movements to over 210,000, a 28.2% growth compared to the year before. This year we began Phase B of our expansion project and currently have over 40 airline partners and serve over 170 destinations.
Adopting Digital Transformation
Our operations have embraced digital transformation by implementing various innovative technologies and solutions. We have recognized the importance of digitalization in enhancing efficiency, streamlining processes and improving overall performance at our airport and through strategic initiatives and partnerships, we have made significant progress.
One of the critical areas where we have implemented digital transformation is in our security processes. We have integrated state-of-the-art screening technology at our security checkpoints, such as the Smiths Detection tool utilizing Computed Tomography (CT) for advanced baggage screening. This ensures the highest levels of security compliance, enhances customer service, and optimizes checkpoint performance.
Additionally, we have introduced innovative tools across our airport premises as part of our smart airport program. For instance, we launched the ‘Digital Twin’ initiative in partnership with SITA, providing a real-time 3D interface with a comprehensive airport view. This technology enables us to monitor and manage our operations more effectively.
Furthermore, our collaboration with Aeroficial Intelligence has led to implementation of the Performance Cockpit platform powered by AI-driven technology. This platform utilizes surveillance data to measure and analyze crucial operational metrics, including air traffic operations and airfield movements. By leveraging this platform, we can achieve daily operational excellence, reduce emissions and gain valuable insights for continuous improvement.
Trials
Overcoming challenges is baked into our DNA. The airport was overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic while simultaneously planning to host the world’s largest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. As more than two challenges were needed, the airport also worked diligently to ensure its massive expansion project stayed on track. Through meticulous planning and the heroic efforts of our staff and stakeholders, we exceeded expectations on all fronts.
Keeping a keen eye on aviation trends ensures that our operations adapt quickly to meet passenger and commercial requirements. The airport industry noticed the need to invest in tools such as data-driven and automated operational solutions to help staff and facilities with increased travel demands. Amid our ongoing growth, we are undergoing phase B of the expansion plan. The delicate balance between managing operational change and guaranteeing operational and service excellence while ensuring that expansion works go unhindered is another challenge, albeit one that we are accustomed to.
Progression and growth are at the end of the tunnel, and it is essential to ensure that sustainability and environmental needs are noticed in the process. Sustainability will continue to play a significant role in our plans, and we must overcome the challenges associated with sustainability and protect the environment for future generations. With that said, we have learned valuable lessons from overcoming past challenges, and we are constantly looking into ways to integrate these lessons of resilience into our ethos to keep the momentum of continuous improvement going.
Recent Developments
Strategically located in the heart of the Middle East, our airport continues to grow, offering global travellers world-class services and facilities curated for all. We are constantly introducing experiences and consider the different passengers that utilize our facilities or choose Hamad International Airport to be part of their travel journey.
Earlier this year, we opened a particular handling lounge – the Muzn Lounge, which is a sensory room providing educational, rehabilitative, and recreational interactive devices and equipment that aim to promote, integrate and empower passengers with special needs in the community while offering them assistive technologies and solutions that give them a seamless and stress-free experience.
Phase B of the expansion, starting in January, will mean the airport’s capacity growing to over 70 million passengers per year and construction of two new concourses within the existing terminal. Additionally, to introduce ‘industry first’ experiences, the airport inaugurated the Louis Vuitton Lounge – accessible by the Al.
Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden, making it the only one of its kind in an airport. We plan to elevate our facilities to the highest standards, investing in the latest technologies and introducing more industry-first options.
Sustainable Initiatives
Sustainability is at the core of what we do at Hamad International Airport, and we invest in initiatives that improve our sustainability efforts to enhance our operations as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Part of our environmental sustainability goals includes waste management and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. By engaging with commercial stakeholders and government entities, we can adopt the best environmental standards, which will positively impact the environment. During the 2022/2023 fiscal year, we managed to reuse and recycle about 40% of our waste generated through airport operations, including 736 tonnes of plastic waste – and transform non-recyclable waste to produce electricity.
As part of our objective of zero landfill, we initiated processes to enhance further our waste management systems, which resulted in over 1,200 tonnes of waste being diverted from landfills for further segregation, recycling and energy recovery each month.
To maintain our prominent landscape features, we use organic fertilizers originating from recycled green waste – which is part of our collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality in Qatar. Hamad International Airport also has a dedicated wastewater treatment plant which allows us to reuse 100% of the wastewater generated from the airport for landscape irrigation, which means zero wastewater being discharged to the sea.
This, along with our energy conservation efforts in all aspects of the airport since its initiation – including cooling, solar materials and lighting – has allowed us to control and reduce carbon dioxide emissions and energy.