Qatar’s new Hamad International Airport (HIA) has announced changes to the short- and long-term car park facilities from tomorrow.

The long-term car park will be free, an official said.

However, visitors using the short-term car park will be charged from tomorrow. They will receive a ticket when they enter the parking area. The first 30 minutes are free. After that they will be charged QR5 for the first hour and QR5 for every additional hour. Lost tickets will be charged QR35.

Those looking to use the long-term facility have been advised to leave enough time for the four-minute transfer to the Passenger Terminal Complex. Buses are provided for the convenience of the visitors every 15 minutes.

All payments will have to be processed at the parking payment machines located in the bridge connecting the Passenger Terminal Complex and the short-term car park prior to reaching the car.

Visitors who parked their cars in the short-term park before the fees are implemented tomorrow will not be penalised and will be able to leave without paying the charges.

Abdulaziz al-Mass, senior public relations and communications manager, at HIA said: “As part of the phased opening of Doha’s new aviation hub we are updating and adding further services for passengers and visitors. As parking demand increases we are opening up our long-term car park as an extended parking solution to avoid congestion and ensure a seamless and convenient experience for our passengers and visitors. We thank our guests for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming travellers into our world-class gateway to the world very soon.”

The $15bn iconic HIA welcomed its first passengers in a soft opening on April 30, marking a new era in the country’s aviation history.

A Qatar Airways A320 aircraft (QR7450), which took off from the now-closed Doha International Airport (DIA) carrying a number of dignitaries, was the first to officially land on the east runway of the HIA.

Following the soft launch, some 10 airlines, including budget carriers, moved their operations to the HIA. The other airlines shifted in subsequent phases until May 27 when the HIA marked the transfer from the DIA of all commercial passenger airlines operating into the country.

The HIA features two runways, among the longest in the world, a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower, an imposing passenger terminal with an initial design capacity of 30mn passengers per year, over 40,000sq m of combined retail, food and beverage facilities and a uniquely shaped public mosque.

The HIA Passenger Terminal Complex has a total of 138 check-in counters across ‘five islands,’ including some 108 counters for Qatar Airways economy passengers and all other airlines, 16 counters dedicated to Qatar Airways Business Class travellers and 14 luxury, bespoke, seated check-in counters for Qatar Airways’ first class passengers.

The HIA complex covers an area of 28sq km. The passenger capacity is to reach 50mn by the time it is fully operational beyond 2015.

Passengers looking for further information on the airport, flights and airline operations can visit www.dohahamadairport.com, or alternatively check for updates via HIA’s new social media channels including Twitter (@HIAQatar), Facebook (Hamad International Airport) and Instagram (HIAQatar).