Qatar’s Airport Delay Due To Contractor – Al Baker

The chief of Qatar Airways has blamed a contractor for the delayed opening of Doha’s new Hamad International Airport, saying the firm has failed to obtain the necessary paper work.

Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar’s flagship carrier, said Bechtel Corporation is yet to confirm building occupancy permits from the Qatari Civil Defense Department.

The soft opening of the region’s new airport was scheduled for April 1, having already been pushed back from December last year. Low-cost airlines were due to begin operations at the airport from the start of April.

Speaking at a press conference in Chicago, Al Baker described the stalled opening as a ‘slight glitch’, saying: “This unfortunately is thanks to Bechtel who is responsible for the project management of the airport and who have failed to comply with the Qatar Civil Defense building code and safety requirements.”

Al Baker indicated the new airport will be operational by the end of the year.