Aircraft movements surged at Hamad International Airport during the evening peak on Friday, as a wave of departures took off toward global destinations, according to flight tracking data from Flightradar24.

The spike in traffic comes as Qatar Airways announced a major expansion of its summer schedule, with services planned to more than 150 destinations between June 16 and September 15, 2026.

The airline said the updated network will include new routes as well as increased frequencies on existing sectors, all operating through Doha, further reinforcing the city’s role as a major global aviation hub.

The planned summer expansion is expected to boost passenger volumes during the peak travel season, offering greater flexibility and improved connectivity for travellers, particularly those transiting through Doha.

Qatar Airways has steadily expanded its global footprint in recent years, capitalising on strong demand for long-haul travel and Doha’s strategic geographic location linking East and West.

Source: Gulf Times