Hamad International Airport and the old Doha International Airport will see their capacity doubled to reach more than 200,000 passengers per day, Akbar al-Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, said in a press conference.
In order to increase air links with the 31 qualified countries (in addition to Qatar), those to nations not participating in the tournament will be interrupted or reduced, added the official, who is also chairman of the Qatar Tourism Authority.
The small and wealthy emirate expects to welcome between 1.2 and 1.4 million supporters expected between November 21 and December 18.
Airlines Saudia, Kuwait Airways, Flydubai and Oman Air will organize more than 160 round trips on the day from November 20, he said.
Authorities estimate that more than 20,000 fans could come from neighboring Gulf countries every day to watch the world premier in the Middle East.
Ibrahim Koshy, the general manager of Saudia, said the company would provide at least 30 daily return flights from the Saudi capital Riyadh and Jeddah, the big city in the west of the kingdom, which can transport 10,000 supporters.
Flydubai will schedule at least 30 round trips, Kuwait Airways 10 and Oman Air 24, Mr al-Baker said.
Beyond their own nationals, the Gulf countries are home to millions of expatriates from all over the world.
Nearly 70% of Qatar Airways scheduled flights will have their schedules changed to schedule additional flights.
© 2022 AFP