Resource: Managing Airport Slot Coordination
Slots at OTBD & OTHH are on a first-come-first-serve basis and are subject to the airport’s approval.
All BGA operators that wish to operate in Qatar will be accommodated primarily at OTBD (Doha International Airport) and Charter operators at OTBD or OTHH (Doha Hamad International Airport), depending on the available slot availability and capacity. Commercial and Non-scheduled Commercial operators will be accommodated at OTHH, also subject to slot availability and capacity. This ensures that the available capacity is maximized and appropriate service levels are met. It is important to note that Military, State, SAR, Emergency, and Humanitarian operations will be exempted from slot restrictions.
Since both airports will see a massive influx of traffic over this period, Slots will be allocated on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis, with a price tag of $5000 per arrival and departure (one rotation). Considering that narrow or wide-body aircraft are allowed a maximum ground time at OTBD or OTHH not more than 60 mins and 90 mins, respectively, aircraft would need to perform a ‘drop-off of passengers and reposition.’ Slots would therefore be required for two rotations (i.e., two arrivals and two departure slots), meaning that $10,000 would be needed for the slot deposit. If that number is enough to make your eyes water, bear in mind that slots are refundable if they are canceled up to 24hrs before the scheduled arrival time (in UTC), or the slot deposit will be deducted from the final handling invoice to customers. Special attention must be given to slot conformity and penalties as it will be strictly monitored for compliance.
Given the high demand and complexities of making the necessary arrangements with the local handlers, airport authorities, and the civil aviation authority, we can facilitate all the required services to ensure the best experience possible while on the ground in Doha. Ancillary services such as maintenance for AOG events, catering, hotel accommodation, and transportation can also be facilitated through our World Fuel Services team.
Repositioning aircraft to other airports in countries surrounding Qatar primarily for parking is an important consideration that must be factored into the planning phase of a flight. While there are several airports that one can operate to, and considering the needs that each customer may have, the following airports are recommended to support air traffic: OMAA, OMSJ, OMDW, OMDB in the United Arab Emirates, OBBI in Bahrain, OKBK in Kuwait, OERK in Saudi Arabia, or perhaps OJAQ in Jordan.
