News | Ministry of Transport

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Hamad International Airport Awarded 5-Star Airport Rating

Doha-Hamad International Airport (HIA) today joined the top tier of global airports becoming the sixth airport in the world to receive the ‘5-Star Airport’ designation by Skytrax, the London-based aviation institute and the gold standard for conveying the passenger’s voice in airport and airline rankings. This makes HIA the first ever airport in the Middle East to earn this acclaimed title. The prestigious 5-Star Airport rating is awarded to airports achieving the highest, overall Quality Performance. The 5-Star Airport rating recognizes those airports providing excellent facilities for customers combined with high quality airport staff service. Airport Quality ranking covers front-line areas for departures, arrival and transfer, including airport facilities, customer service, security, immigration, shop outlets and food and beverage facilities. The highest rating – five stars – has previously only been awarded to five other airports worldwide: Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo-Haneda and Munich. This recognition is particularly timely as it comes after a year of reaching a number of strategic milestones at HIA, including the introduction of its iBeacon enabled mobile app, the launch of the Smart Airport features in the terminal, the operation of the dual passenger train shuttle to concourses D and E and the opening of multiple duty free stores. Moreover, HIA has continued to work closely with Qatar Museums adding multiple international and local art installations across the terminal. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: "Hamad International Airport was designed and built in the modern era, taking into account what passengers want most – convenience and service. HIA more than exceeds passenger expectations by providing what passengers want in an environment that is beautiful, thoughtful and welcoming. HIA’s success is apparent in the fact that it is now at capacity, and the third phase of its development is highly anticipated. The airport serves more than 30 million passengers every year, and will grow to 50 million, yet each passenger can design their own experience at the airport, whether it is shopping in the world-class Qatar Duty Free premium stores, relaxing in one of its 12 lounges, resting comfortably in the Airport Hotel or using one of the many amenities at the Vitality Spa including the squash courts and the swimming pool. The airport experience is designed to be as memorable as the journey." Engineer Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport, stated: "Joining the elite of airports and being the first airport in the Middle East to earn five stars from Skytrax is an honor, and a direct result of the thousands of people who ensure HIA operates smoothly every day, every flight. No matter how long our guests are with us, we strive to make their journey flawless and memorable. This acknowledgement is highly gratifying, and will continue to motivate us to create an exceptional experience for everyone." Mr. Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said: "We extend our congratulations to Hamad International Airport for achieving this 5-Star Airport recognition, as well as being the first airport in the Middle East to gain this status. This accolade brings the challenge that 5-Star Airports find their customers become ever more demanding, and we have every confidence that HIA will continue to both maintain and improve standards as we move forward into 2017". With just three years of operations, HIA has garnered world-class awards and recognition, including Skytrax Middle East’s Best Airport in 2015 and 2016, Skytrax Best Staff Service in the Middle East 2016 and previously Best Airport Award at the Future Travel Experience (FTE) Asia Awards in 2015.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

MOTC, Q-Post Launch First Postage Stamp Marking Hamad Port Full Operations

DohaThe Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) and Qatar Postal Services Company (QPost) launched on Wednesday the commemorative stamp to mark the full operations of Hamad Port.The stamp is to document the full operations of Hamad Port within Qatar’s agenda for the future generations and to immortalize the great efforts exerted by the New Port Project Steering Committee, participating companies and workers contributed to the project.“The design of the new stamp highlights the photo of first container ship docked at Hamad Port,” Q-Post Chairman and Managing Director Faleh al-Naemi said on the occasion.He stressed that Q-Post is keen on documenting all important occasions and sustainable national development projects that will be a legacy for future generations.Captain Abdulla Al Khanji, CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar), thanked QPost for issuing the edition, which marks an important stage of this national project.He assured that Hamad Port will boost the economic diversification of the state and transfer Qatar into a regional trade hub in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.A total of 40,000 pieces were printed in addition to 1500 of the stamp’s first day cover. All the quantity will be available on sale on the launch date (Jan. 4).

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Mada and QU join hands to help students with disabilities

Doha-Qatar Assistive Technology Centre (Mada), a non-profit organisation dedicated to connecting Persons With Disabilities (PWD) to the world of information and communication technology, has joined hands with Qatar University (QU) to provide assistive technology to disabled students on QU campus.“Education is one of the three key pillars of our mission at Mada, and many of our services revolve around this area,” said Maha al-Mansouri the CEO of Mada.“We believe that education has the potential to positively impact the PWD community in many ways. It is where the groundwork for social integration is laid, and it makes PWD and their communities aware that disabilities do not subtract from capabilities. We are honoured to have made a meaningful imprint on the campus of Qatar University and to facilitate educational opportunities for students with disabilities.”It has become easier for students with disabilities to access assistive technologies within a shorter time period. This has allowed more people to benefit from the equipment provided.Students will benefit from Mada’s newly opened station at QU. It is equipped with all of the essential assistive technologies necessary for the success of students with disabilities.Mada is committed to enhancing three key areas of education, employment and community. It supports the students with disabilities in Qatar accessing quality mainstream education by educating both the PWDs and a variety of stakeholders about the ways in which ICT can be used to enhance and access quality education.Mada aims to increase employable PWDs in local workforce by offering tailor made courses and programmes and enable independent living by encouraging the creation of an accessible community and friendly ecosystem for PWDs.Mada’s vision of enhancing life of PWDs is brought to life through the use of ICT. Mada is committed to encouraging the development of assistive technologies in the Arabic language to support the needs of PWDs in Qatar.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Communciations Authority Launches National Frequency Allocation Plan

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) announced today it has finalized the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) with appropriate consideration to planning of projects in sectors that are critical to Qatar’s economy. The Plan has been endorsed by the Minister of Transport and Communications, and published on the CRA website.President of CRA Mohammed Ali Al-Mannai said "The finalization of NFAP is an important achievement for Qatar’s requirements of spectrum usage in the telecommunication, government, aviation, security, energy, Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and other nationally critically sectors as the management of this scarce recourse impacts the country’s GDP." He addded that the "NFAP includes all current and future needs related to major national and international sport championships, and cultural events." The plan, reviewed by the Qatar National Spectrum Coordination Committee (QNSCC), includes the updated National Frequency Allocation Table (NFAT) and is a comprehensive frequency allocation document that provides a transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable approach to spectrum management and to reserve appropriate spectrum for future innovative technologies.It also integrates planning of new mobile broadband technologies, public protection & disaster relief measures, unmanned aircraft systems, global flight tracking, maritime safety, amateur radio, and other areas of focus at the International Telecommunication Union’s World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15).The document is an essential guide for individuals, government agencies, and commercial entities on how radiocommunication services, technologies, and applications are distributed over radio frequency bands in Qatar. It contains important information required for applicants for any request for frequency usage (assignment, licensing, authorization, etc.), before they approach CRA with such requests. Such requests include temporary spectrum assignments regulations for organizing events and their media coverage via satellite, radio and Internet broadcast. The plan also includes list of specific assignments, list of frequency bands for SRD applications, frequency allotment plans relevant to Qatar, International agreements, harmonized frequency bands or spots.The NFAP is subject to periodical revisions in conformity with requirements which are imposed by new national and international regulations referring to allocation of frequency bands. CRA intends to continually engage with relevant bodies to keep this plan updated as per relevant sectors requirements.The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) announced today it has finalized the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) with appropriate consideration to planning of projects in sectors that are critical to Qatar’s economy. The Plan has been endorsed by the Minister of Transport and Communications, and published on the CRA website.President of CRA Mohammed Ali Al-Mannai said "The finalization of NFAP is an important achievement for Qatar’s requirements of spectrum usage in the telecommunication, government, aviation, security, energy, Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and other nationally critically sectors as the management of this scarce recourse impacts the country’s GDP." He addded that the "NFAP includes all current and future needs related to major national and international sport championships, and cultural events." The plan, reviewed by the Qatar National Spectrum Coordination Committee (QNSCC), includes the updated National Frequency Allocation Table (NFAT) and is a comprehensive frequency allocation document that provides a transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable approach to spectrum management and to reserve appropriate spectrum for future innovative technologies.It also integrates planning of new mobile broadband technologies, public protection & disaster relief measures, unmanned aircraft systems, global flight tracking, maritime safety, amateur radio, and other areas of focus at the International Telecommunication Union’s World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15).The document is an essential guide for individuals, government agencies, and commercial entities on how radiocommunication services, technologies, and applications are distributed over radio frequency bands in Qatar. It contains important information required for applicants for any request for frequency usage (assignment, licensing, authorization, etc.), before they approach CRA with such requests. Such requests include temporary spectrum assignments regulations for organizing events and their media coverage via satellite, radio and Internet broadcast. The plan also includes list of specific assignments, list of frequency bands for SRD applications, frequency allotment plans relevant to Qatar, International agreements, harmonized frequency bands or spots.The NFAP is subject to periodical revisions in conformity with requirements which are imposed by new national and international regulations referring to allocation of frequency bands. CRA intends to continually engage with relevant bodies to keep this plan updated as per relevant sectors requirements.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

HE the Minister Meets with Tunisia Minister of Communication Technologies

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti met here Tuesday with HE Tunisian Minister of Communication Technologies and Digital Economy Dr. Mohamed Anouar Maarouf.The two officials discussed several topics of common interest between the two countries in the fields of communications and information technology, and means of further enhancing them, in addition to capitalizing on the investment opportunities in the two sisterly countries.

Monday, December 12, 2016

MOTC’s Q-CERT Organizes 4th National Cybersecurity Drill

The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) has launched the fourth National Cybersecurity Drill, ‘Star-4’, on Monday, December 12 as part of the objectives of Qatar’s National Cybersecurity Strategy.HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti opened the event, which runs until Thursday 15 December.Under the theme ‘Managing Supply Risk in the Supply Chain’, the drill complements the series of national exercises initiated by MOTC’s Qatar Computer Emergency Response Team (Q-CERT) to raise the efficiency and readiness of government and corporate institutions against cyberattacks.“Star-4 focuses on cybersecurity risks that may be encountered within the ICT supply chain,” said Khalid al-Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary, Cyber Security Sector at MOTC, during a media briefing held today at the Ministry headquarters.The technical side of the drills aims to enhance surveillance, monitoring, and reporting by institutions when dealing with cyberattacks, Al-Hashmi added.He noted that cyber drills are exercises that measure the level of readiness against evolving cyber threats and are conducted on a yearly basis. He also pointed out that the drills increase readiness and collaboration among organizations and provide them with the knowledge and tools to contain any form of cyberattack.“The number of the drill participants has increased since the launch of the first national cybersecurity drill (‘Star-1’) in 2013. This year, more than 250 people, representing 60 organizations from seven major sectors are participating in Star-4,” said Nora al-Abdullah, Cybersecurity Training and Awareness Section Manager at Q-CERT.“The cybersecurity drills do not gauge the number of attacks but measure the readiness of Qatar organizations in the face of a cyberattack. The most positive effect of these drills is seeing all these organizations coming together and strengthening Qatar’s cybersecurity ecosystem, and I think that is the essence of having a national cybersecurity drill,” al-Abdullah explained.Cyber drills in Qatar are coordinated in line with the second objective of the National Cyber Security Strategy: “Respond to, resolve and recover from cyber incidents and attacks through timely information sharing, collaboration and action.”