HIA issues travel advisory for passengers to manage Eid rush

Hamad International Airport (HIA) has urged passengers departing during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday period to check-in online and arrive 3 hours prior to their flight to ensure a smooth travel experience. 

“Please note that it is essential for departing passengers to present the green health status on their EHTERAZ application to travel,” HIA said in the advisory.

HIA’s self-service check-in and bag-drop facilities are also available, which enables passengers to check-in, print boarding passes and bag tags; tag their bags; and drop them at the bag drop swiftly before proceeding to border control.    

For the convenience and safety of departing and returning passengers, access to the arrival and departure terminal building will be restricted to travelling passengers only. 

“Kindly conduct pick-ups and drop-offs at the short-term car park and avoid using the curbside. Between 27 April and 2 May 2022, the first hour at the short-term cark will be free, after which regular tariff will apply. Moreover, the short-term car park will be free of charge from 5 May to 10 May during the following hours: 05:00 - 07:00, 17:00 – 19:00 and 23:00 - 03:00. Please note that the long-term car park service will not be available,” HIA mentioned. 

“We recommend passengers to keep themselves updated on the travel requirements of the country they are travelling to for a smooth check-in process at HIA. Passengers are reminded that check-in closes sixty minutes prior to departure time,” HIA added.

During security checks, passengers are requested to ensure that they are not carrying any prohibited items such as liquids, aerosols, and gels, and to pack any liquid containers in a clear, re-sealable plastic bag with each being 100ml or less. Electronic items larger than mobile phones need to be removed from bags and placed in trays for X-ray screening. Small vehicles powered by lithium batteries, such as hoverboards, are prohibited for carriage. Passengers are also advised to minimise travelling with pets due to the holiday peak time. Passengers are advised to wrap their bags at the wrapping facilities available in the terminal. 

Passengers departing from HIA are advised to download the ‘HIAQatar’ mobile app available for both Andriod and iPhone for updates and to assist making the passengers journey more seamless with real-time information about flight status, baggage claim, time and direction to boarding gates and food, beverage and retail offers from Qatar Duty Free (QDF). 

“Please follow the signage in the terminal, or ask our staff for assistance to make your arrival process simple. A reminder that all travelling passengers must wear face masks at all times, maintain physical distance and follow all safety guidelines present at the airport for their safety,” the advisory concluded.