Last year, five companies were put under investigation after heavy rains caused flooding at Doha’s Hamad International airport.

The flooding, which was posted on social media sites such as YouTube, was further cause for embarrassment for Qatar over the airport, which opened in April 2014 after initially aiming for a 2008 launch. The total cost of the scheme was $15.5bn, far in excess of its original budget.

Despite these setbacks, an expansion of the airport is planned.

In September 2015, the New Doha International Airport Steering Committee unveiled details of the upgrade. It comprises three main elements: the extension of the main terminal building; the construction of concourses D and E; and the connection with the Red Line of the Doha Metro.

The main terminal expansion will feature a new premium check-in area comprising 17 new counters, which will be served by a new access road and kerbside drop-off point to the east of the main terminal building. To the west, 47 new economy check-in counters will be built, in addition to new baggage carousels.

The new D and E concourses will increase the size of the overall airport terminal by 400,000 square metres to more than 1 million sq m. The plan calls for a 1.3-kilometre-long concourse with a width of 60 metres.

Plans for the metro connection are less developed as the steering committee works with Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) to finalise design plans. It is likely the scheme will involve a connecting bridge between the existing mosque and lagoon from the terminal building to an underground station.

A tender was expected be issued by the end of last year for the construction of the Emiri hangar expansion. It is understood this tender was delayed due to ongoing budgetary reviews in Qatar.

Located to the north of existing maintenance facilities, the new hangar will be 395 metres long and have a capacity for 13 aircraft. The US’ Foster+Partners is the design consultant.

Some work has already started on the expansion. In 2015, Jordan’s Consolidated Engineering Construction Company won a QR277m ($76m) contract for land reclamation works to extend the existing reclaimed platform on the northwestern tip of the airport.

The 110 hectares of new land will be used for the new western taxiways. It is expected the entire reclamation will be completed by the first quarter of 2017.

To manage the expansion, the steering committee received proposals from consultants last year.