Hamad International Partners with Beijing Daxing to Boost China Middle East Hub

Hamad International Airport’s Strategic Alliance with Beijing Daxing: Catalyzing Qatar’s Emergence as China’s Premier Middle East Aviation Hub

The recent Sister Airport Memorandum of Understanding between Hamad International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport marks a pivotal transformation in global aviation partnerships. This agreement strategically positions Qatar as a definitive gateway between China and the broader Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Coupled with expanded codeshare arrangements between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines, the partnership leverages Qatar’s geographic centrality and operational strengths to capture a growing share of the China-Middle East travel and trade corridor.

This alliance comes at a time when Hamad International Airport has recorded significant milestones, serving 52.7 million passengers in 2024 with a 15% year-over-year increase and ranking as the Middle East’s top airport for connectivity according to Airport Council International. The agreement aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and is poised to reshape regional aviation dynamics, boost bilateral trade, and set new standards for international airport cooperation.

Strategic Aviation Partnership Context

Qatar’s rise as China’s preferred Middle East hub is built on decades of diplomatic and economic relations, evolving into comprehensive strategic partnerships. Qatar joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2014, establishing a policy framework for ambitious infrastructure collaborations. The foundations were laid during the 2014 state visit by Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Beijing, which led to extensive bilateral investments and joint projects.

The aviation sector has become a central pillar of this relationship. Qatar Airways connects nine Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, to over 120 global destinations via Doha. This network expansion has fueled an 87% surge in traffic to China at Hamad International Airport in 2024, reflecting robust demand and the effectiveness of the partnership.

The relationship between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines has deepened beyond codesharing, encompassing cargo, frequent flyer integration, and operational coordination. China Southern, China’s largest carrier by route network and passenger volume, brings significant domestic reach. Its dual hubs in Guangzhou and Beijing Daxing complement Qatar’s global ambitions, making it a natural partner for expanding cross-continental connectivity.

“Every Qatar Airways route to China is now accessible to China Southern Airlines passengers, creating seamless connectivity options that enhance the value proposition for travelers in both directions.” , Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines Joint Statement

The Sister Airport Agreement: Details and Implications

The Sister Airport Memorandum of Understanding, signed in September 2025, formalizes collaboration between MATAR (Qatar’s airport operator) and Beijing Capital International Airport Group Co., Ltd. The agreement targets cooperation in operations, technology, service design, and innovation, setting a structured platform for knowledge exchange and joint development.

Beijing Daxing International Airport, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and opened in 2019, features a 700,000-square-meter terminal and is engineered for scalable growth, from 45 million to a planned 100 million annual passengers. This aligns with Hamad International’s expansion plans and offers a blueprint for future infrastructure development in Qatar.

The agreement’s implications extend to cargo and logistics, aiming to establish a “golden channel” for airline networks and a “green corridor” for freight. This dual focus is vital to Qatar’s logistics ambitions, as outlined in the National Logistics Strategy, which seeks to capture a significant share of global trade passing through the region by 2030.

“The partnership creates what officials describe as a ‘golden channel’ for airline networks and a ‘green corridor’ for freight logistics.” , PRNewswire

Operational Performance and Infrastructure Capabilities

Hamad International Airport’s record performance in 2024, 52.7 million passengers and 279,000 aircraft movements, demonstrates its readiness for increased traffic. Cargo operations handled 2.6 million tonnes, up 12% year-over-year, aligning with the logistics focus of the Beijing Daxing partnership. The airport’s efficiency is further highlighted by a 10% increase in baggage processing, managing over 41 million bags.

Local passenger growth outpaced transfer traffic for the first time, with 12 million point-to-point passengers in 2024. This reflects Doha’s growing appeal as a destination and the success of initiatives to attract tourism and charter services. The airport’s network now spans 197 destinations, served by 55 airlines, including new entrants like China Southern and Shenzhen Airlines.

Infrastructure expansion is ongoing, with capacity set to reach 65 million passengers by mid-2025. The opening of new concourses and gates supports anticipated traffic from the strengthened China partnership. Beijing Daxing, with its four runways and 252 aircraft stands, has processed over 130 million trips in its first five years, offering complementary capabilities and operational insights for Hamad International.

“Hamad International Airport’s recognition as the highest-ranked Middle Eastern airport for connectivity by the Airport Council International provides a strong foundation for sharing best practices with Beijing Daxing.” , Airport Council International 2024 Report

Financial Impact and Market Positioning

The economic significance of the partnership is underscored by Qatar Airways Group’s record financial results: $23.5 billion in revenue and $2.1 billion in net profit for fiscal year 2024-2025. Cargo operations, a central focus of the agreement, saw a 17% revenue increase, highlighting the potential for expanded freight collaboration with Chinese partners.

China Southern Airlines, while generating $24.23 billion in revenue in 2024, posted a net loss of $243 million. The partnership offers mutual benefits: Qatar Airways can tap into China’s vast domestic market, while China Southern gains access to global destinations and operational efficiencies. Qatar Airways’ 3.38% stake in China Southern, alongside investments in other major airlines, illustrates its diversified approach to market positioning.

Logistics and real estate sectors are also poised for growth. Proximity to Hamad International boosts property values in Doha, and logistics investments by companies like FedEx and Reitar Logtech point to strong demand for advanced supply chain services. Qatar’s strategy of integrating aviation with multimodal logistics hubs and free trade zones further enhances its regional competitiveness.

“Qatar Airways Group reported its strongest financial results in history for fiscal year 2024-2025, with revenues reaching QAR86 billion ($23.5 billion) and net profit of QAR7.8 billion ($2.1 billion).” , Qatar Airways Annual Report 2024-2025

Belt and Road Initiative Integration

The Hamad-Beijing Daxing partnership operates within the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has reshaped economic ties between China and the Middle East since 2014. Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and BRI objectives are closely aligned, supporting infrastructure, trade, and investment projects.

Chinese investments in Qatar have reached $3.9 billion from 2013 to 2018, with projects such as Hamad Port constructed by Chinese firms. The direct maritime service between Hamad Port and Shanghai complements the air corridor, enabling Qatar to serve as a multimodal logistics hub with both sea and air connectivity to China.

The aviation partnership directly supports BRI’s goal of reducing trade friction and improving supply chain efficiency. By establishing green corridors for cargo and leveraging Qatar’s diplomatic neutrality, the partnership strengthens both countries’ positions in regional and global trade networks.

“Chinese President Xi Jinping’s characterization of Qatar as ‘an important country that plays a unique role in the Middle East and Gulf region, and is a major partner of China’ reflects the strategic importance Beijing places on Qatar as a regional hub.” , Belt and Road News, 2023

Regional Logistics Hub Development

Qatar’s ambition to become a regional logistics powerhouse is supported by the Hamad-Beijing Daxing partnership. The integration of Hamad International Airport with Hamad Port, along with advanced logistics facilities like Reitar Logtech’s AI-powered centers, creates a seamless supply chain ecosystem.

Growth in cargo throughput, 6.3% at Hamad Port and 12% at the airport, demonstrates effective coordination across transportation modes. The development of free trade zones and special economic areas near these hubs streamlines processing and supports time-sensitive logistics needs.

Qatar faces competition from other Gulf states investing heavily in logistics infrastructure, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. However, its unique access to Chinese markets through the Daxing partnership, focus on digital innovation, and sustainability initiatives provide a differentiated value proposition for international trade and investment.

Conclusion

The partnership between Hamad International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport is a transformative step in global aviation, setting a benchmark for strategic alliances that go beyond mere connectivity. By integrating operations, technology, and logistics, the agreement positions Qatar as the preferred Middle East hub for China and supports broader economic, technological, and trade objectives under the Belt and Road Initiative.

With strong financial performance, expanding infrastructure, and a focus on innovation and sustainability, the partnership is well-placed to capitalize on future growth in travel, trade, and logistics. As regional competition intensifies, Qatar’s differentiated approach through strategic alliances and investment in cutting-edge logistics will likely sustain its leadership in the evolving landscape of international aviation and commerce.

FAQ

Question: What is the main purpose of the Sister Airport Agreement between Hamad International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport?
Answer: The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in operations, technology, service design, and innovation, enhancing connectivity and logistics between China and the Middle East.

Question: How does this partnership benefit Qatar’s economy?
Answer: It supports Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by boosting trade, tourism, and investment, and positions Qatar as a key logistics and aviation hub for the region.

Question: What role does the Belt and Road Initiative play in this partnership?
Answer: The partnership aligns with BRI objectives, facilitating infrastructure development, trade, and investment between China and Qatar, and integrating multimodal logistics networks.

Question: How are passenger and cargo volumes affected by the partnership?
Answer: Hamad International Airport saw a 15% increase in passengers and a 12% increase in cargo in 2024, trends expected to continue as the partnership deepens and new routes are launched.

Question: What are the future prospects for this alliance?
Answer: With ongoing infrastructure expansion, technological innovation, and growing demand for China-Middle East connectivity, the partnership is expected to drive significant growth in both passenger and cargo traffic.

Sources

• PRNewswire