Doha has taken on a new artistic identity ahead of this year’s FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX, with ten towering Formula 1® helmet sculptures installed across the city as part of a large-scale public art initiative led by Lusail International Circuit (LIC).

Standing at 1.8 meters tall, the installations—on display through 30 November 2025—feature works by eight prominent Qatari artists, each weaving themes of heritage, identity, and innovation into the universally recognized symbol of motorsport.

Two official LIC-branded helmets greet travelers and media personnel at Hamad International Airport and the St. Regis Doha, while the other pieces appear at key cultural and commercial landmarks:

Old Doha Port – The Rise of Glory by Fatima Mohammed Shaker
Shaker blends Qatar’s map with symbols of national pride, capturing a sense of authenticity and forward momentum.

Doha Festival City – Connections by Hala Al-Darbasti
A vibrant acrylic work exploring the small yet powerful details that link individuals to one another. Al-Darbasti described the experience as “deeply meaningful,” noting her pride in contributing to Qatar’s motorsport scene.

Lusail International Circuit – The Camel by Laila Al-Qaedi
Traditional camel markings are reimagined as dynamic, racing-inspired motifs, drawing parallels between desert endurance and Formula 1® performance.

Msheireb Downtown – Heritage in Acceleration by Noor Abuissa
Islamic geometric patterns and Doha’s skyline appear in fluid motion, capturing the synergy between spiritual symmetry and racing speed.

Place Vendôme – Fusion of Speed and Heritage by Jaber Henzab
A bold composition that merges Qatari craftsmanship with the precision of F1®. Henzab called the project a “meaningful milestone” in his career.

Qatar Foundation – Velocity of Heritage by Kaltham Al-Fakhroo
Architectural motifs from Qatar’s historic buildings intertwine with the circuit’s high-energy character. Al-Fakhroo said the collaboration reaffirmed LIC’s “unique aura.”

Souq Waqif – The Land of Abundance and Oysters by Zainab AlShibani
A poetic tribute to pearl divers, connecting maritime tradition to the discipline and bravery found in racing.

VVIP Lounge, LIC – The Falcon: A Renewed Legacy by Noura Abdulrahman Al Ibrahim
A Saker falcon—symbol of strength—takes on a futuristic feel, revealing the technological complexity hidden inside an F1® machine.

Fatima Al Qaedi, LIC’s Marketing Manager, described the exhibition as a tribute to “Qatari imagination and artistic excellence.” She highlighted how each helmet transforms the essence of the nation—from pearl diving to falconry—into contemporary visual narratives. “We encourage residents and visitors to follow the helmet trail and see Formula 1® through a uniquely Qatari perspective,” she said.
Race Weekend Line-Up
Fans still have a chance to secure one of the remaining tickets for the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, running 28–30 November:

Friday, 28 November: Opening ceremony, F1® practice, Sprint Qualifying, support races, and a performance by Seal.

Saturday, 29 November: High-energy F1® Sprint Race, FIA Formula 2™ and Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East action, capped by a concert from Cheb Khaled.

Sunday, 30 November: The main 57-lap Grand Prix, preceded by the Drivers’ Parade and final support races, closing with a headline show by Metallica.

Tickets are available at tickets.lcsc.qa

Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC) has awarded a contract to develop an automated people mover (APM) system for the first phase of Al Maktoum International Airport, creating what is expected to be the world’s largest airport transit system of its kind.

The contract was awarded to a consortium comprising Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), its Dubai-based subsidiary MHI Mobility Engineering Services (MHI-MESC), and Indian engineering group Larsen and Toubro (L&T).

The APM network will extend approximately 50 kilometers and connect nine stations, making it significantly larger than existing airport people-mover systems.

MHI and MHI-MESC will oversee the design, procurement and testing of 165 vehicles, as well as signaling technology and overall system integration. L&T will be responsible for designing, procuring, testing and constructing the remaining subsystems on site.

The project is scheduled for completion in December 2031.

The scale of Dubai’s planned system will surpass existing airport transit networks, including the approximately 8-kilometer Skylink at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and The Plane Train at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The APM network will connect Al Maktoum International Airport’s terminals and key facilities, helping improve passenger movement, reduce transfer times and support efficient airport operations.

The project forms part of Dubai’s broader plans to develop Al Maktoum International into one of the world’s largest aviation hubs. The airport is targeted to begin operations in 2032 and is ultimately expected to handle up to 260 million passengers annually.

The planned expansion is designed to accommodate growing regional and international air traffic while strengthening Dubai’s position as a major global aviation hub.

Source: Khaleej Times

Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to improve the efficiency, security and smooth operation of airport and cargo activities.

The commitment was made during a SAHCO delegation’s visit to AC Adamu, the newly appointed Commander of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

The visit focused on building on the existing relationship between SAHCO and the NCS through stronger communication, closer coordination and enhanced operational cooperation, particularly in the handling and movement of cargo.

Representing SAHCO Managing Director and CEO Adenike Aboderin, General Manager of Cargo Services Donald Adekunle welcomed the new CIU commander and pledged the company’s continued support for a professional and productive partnership with the Customs Service.

Adekunle said closer cooperation between the two organizations would help strengthen airport operations and improve coordination among key aviation stakeholders and government agencies.

He also emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in facilitating efficient cargo movement, reinforcing security procedures and enhancing service delivery across Nigeria’s airports.

The renewed cooperation comes as aviation and government agencies continue to focus on improving cargo-handling processes and maintaining secure and efficient airport operations.

Source: ZAWYA

SHARJAH, UAE: Sharjah Airport has achieved Level 3 Airport Customer Experience Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI), marking another milestone in its efforts to strengthen passenger services.

The airport first received Level 1 accreditation in 2022 before advancing to Level 2 in 2023 after establishing and implementing a customer experience strategy across its departments. It renewed its Level 2 status in 2025 and progressed to Level 3 in 2026.

Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said the latest accreditation reflected the airport’s focus on passenger satisfaction and its broader strategy to provide an integrated travel experience centered on quality and service excellence.

He said the achievement also supports Sharjah’s ambitions as a destination for travel, tourism and business.

According to Al Midfa, reaching Level 3 demonstrates the airport’s ability to collect and analyse passenger feedback and work with airport partners to turn that information into practical service improvements.

The accreditation assessment examined how the airport gathers and applies passenger feedback, coordinates with service providers and maintains a seamless passenger experience from arrival through departure.

As part of its progress toward Level 3, Sharjah Airport strengthened its customer feedback systems to better identify passenger expectations, pinpoint areas requiring improvement and respond more quickly to concerns.

The airport also increased coordination with airlines, ground-handling companies and other stakeholders to promote consistent service standards throughout the passenger journey.

Passenger satisfaction reports are now regularly distributed among airport departments, allowing teams to identify successful practices as well as areas requiring further attention. Employees across the airport community are also involved in improving passenger services, reinforcing shared responsibility for the overall travel experience.

ACI established its Airport Customer Experience Accreditation Programme to help airports assess and enhance passenger experience. The programme provides tools and expertise to help airports manage passenger journeys, develop improvement plans and identify opportunities to raise service quality.

Source: QCAA

DOHA, Qatar: Hamad International Airport (HIA) has reaffirmed its readiness to provide a smooth and comfortable arrival experience as passenger numbers increase in Doha following the summer holiday season.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the airport said it expects higher inbound traffic this August as students and families return ahead of the new academic year.

HIA has issued a series of guidelines designed to make arrival procedures easier and improve passenger convenience. Airport staff will remain available around the clock to assist travelers and their families, it said.

The guidance covers several aspects of the arrival process, including procedures for families traveling with young children and arrangements for meeting arriving passengers.

It also provides information on transportation options from the airport, including ride-hailing services, taxis, buses and the Doha Metro. Guidance on car rentals and baggage collection is also included.

The airport said the measures are intended to help passengers navigate the arrival process efficiently during the expected increase in traffic.

With August marking a key period for post-holiday travel, HIA is emphasizing operational preparedness and passenger support as more travelers return to Doha.

Source: QNA

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah handled approximately 28.55 million passengers on 169,900 flights between the beginning of 2026 and the end of July, according to an airport performance report.

The airport also processed 33.6 million bags during the seven-month period, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The performance report was reviewed by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz during a meeting attended by Jeddah Airports Company CEO Mazen Johar.

The airport recorded its highest daily passenger traffic on January 17, when around 195,300 passengers passed through its facilities.

During the 1447 AH Umrah season, King Abdulaziz International Airport served approximately 6.16 million passengers on 36,400 flights and handled 7.2 million bags. More than 10,000 employees from various agencies were deployed at the airport during the season.

The report also highlighted the airport’s role during the 1447 AH Hajj season. More than 1.67 million pilgrims traveled through the airport during the arrival and departure phases, with more than 9,600 flights operated and approximately 2.76 million bags handled.

Ground transportation also played a significant role in moving pilgrims during Hajj. Buses carried around 821,700 pilgrims across 22,855 trips, while the Haramain High Speed Railway transported approximately 48,200 pilgrims on 207 trips.

The figures underscore the airport’s importance as a major gateway for pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and Hajj, as well as its role in handling growing passenger demand throughout the year.

Source: TradeArabia