With 80% of the world’s population reachable within a six-hour flight from Doha, Qatar is well-situated as a hub for interconnectivity in an increasingly globalised world. To capitalise on this the country continues to carry out major infrastructure development projects to equip its economy with a solid foundation for sustainable, long-term future growth.

Now with unparalleled transport and logistics infrastructure, Qatar connects global citizens by air, land and sea, providing an ideal landscape for prospective businesses, foreign direct investment (FDI), and a welcoming home for its diverse international residents.

Qatar by air

Renowned for world-class air travel services, Qatar is home to both the 2024 “World’s Best Airline” and “World’s Best Airport”, according to the most recent rankings by Skytrax.

Hamad International Airport (HIA) celebrated its 10^th anniversary in April 2024, having welcomed a total of 325.1 million passengers since its opening. The airport now serves over 45 airline partners to over 200 destinations, bringing tourists from around the world to Doha.

HIA has been undergoing a major expansion since 2019. In 2022 the first phase was launched, featuring a new terminal, hotel and tropical garden called ORCHARD. The next phase of the expansion project will increase the airport capacity to 70 million passengers and include a new cargo terminal.

HIA is complemented by the equally prestigious national carrier, Qatar Airways, famous for its comfort and service, which flies to more than 170 destinations worldwide. In addition to passenger services, HIA and Qatar Airways Cargo processed 20.5 million tonnes of cargo from 2014 to 2024 and today operate more than 160 belly-hold routes and over 70 freighter routes.

Qatar by land

Catering to locals, tourists and businesses alike, Qatar boasts world-class rail infrastructure which spans the country’s capital and beyond, allowing for easy access to landmarks such as HIA, West Bay and the city of Lusail. The metro system stretches 76km with trains reaching speeds of up to 100km/h, making them some of the fastest driverless trains in the world.

The metro is accompanied by an extensive bus system, which is projected to be 100% electric by 2030. The Lusail Bus Depot set a Guinness World Record in 2022 as the largest electric bus depot with capacity for 478 e-buses.

Qatar by sea

Qatar’s strategic location at the crossroads of east and west provides attractive connectivity options for shipping to key regions such as Asia, Europe and beyond. Hamad Port is Qatar’s main gateway for global maritime trade with an annual capacity of 7 million tonnes of general freight, making it one of the largest ports in the Middle East. The port facilitates connections between markets around the globe with more than 30 shipping lines that connects the port directly and indirectly to more than 100 destinations worldwide.

Following a multi-billion-dollar development, the port also boasts sector-specific capabilities and can handle a variety of specialist imports such as livestock, cars and bulk grain, as well as hosting a base for offshore and marine support vessels.

The future of logistics in Qatar

Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) outlines logistics as a major sector for economic growth, as the country enters its final phase on the road to Qatar National Vision 2030.

As a key diversification cluster to support sustainable economic growth, Qatar seeks to expand its logistics activities to position itself as a specialised e-commerce hub, re-exporting high-value items, cold-chain goods and pharmaceuticals. Through continuous adaptations and technological advancements, the state’s ambition is for Qatar to achieve a 6.6% real GDP Compound Annual Growth Rate in the sector with up to QAR25 billion in re-exports.

The State of Qatar’s ongoing investment and ambition to develop the country’s transport and logistics infrastructure will continue benefit the country and its citizens, residents and visitors alike. The future transformation of this sector looks only set to expand further and drive the future of Qatar’s sustainable economic growth.