Spas in the News
World's First Luxury Terminal with
a Spa with Jacuzzis and Saunas Opens At Doha International Airport
DOHA, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- A US$100 million Premium Terminal
specially for Qatar Airways' First and Business Class passengers commenced
operations today at the Doha International Airport.
The 10,000 square metre luxury facility, the world's first
terminal to offer a spa with Jacuzzis and saunas, will have a capacity
for 800 passengers per hour.
The new facilities include dedicated immigration e-gates
and self-service check-in kiosks, exclusive conference rooms, a nursery,
a clinic, and the Spa which is operated by UK-based specialists.
"We lacked a facility offering world-class services
to our premium passengers. As the number of passengers in our business
and first class increases with the arrival of new and larger carriers,
we want to offer them the best available services," said Akbar
Al-Baker, chief executive of Qatar Airways as well as the Doha International
Airport.
The new terminal would ease pressure on the existing airport
terminal, which is witnessing tremendous growth of passenger numbers.
Passenger loads of Qatar Airways alone has seen an increase from 3.3
million in 2003 to over 6.0 million this year.
The Premium Terminal is part of a US$200 million (US$1
= RM3.63) upgrade of the Doha International Airport pending the completion
of the US$2.5 billion Phase 1 of the New Doha International Airport
(NDIA) come 2009.
"In the new international airport we will have first-class
facilities, so this structure will not be necessary anymore," Al-Baker
said, adding that the facility may be utilised for other purposes.
Malaysian construction majors Gamuda and WCT are in a
joint venture with China's Sinohydro to design and build airfield facilities,
a tunnel and detention ponds for the NDIA under a contract worth RM1.88
billion.
$50-
