Qatar delays airport opening after safety review
Qatar delays new airport opening amid tighter safety codes
This undated image released by the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) shows an empty main terminal building of the Hamad International Airport which was supposed to open Monday, April 1, 2013, in Doha, Qatar. The chief overseer of Qatar's new international airport said in a statement Monday, just hours before the scheduled inaugural flight, that the opening of the facility has been delayed because of the need to address new safety requirements. (AP Photo/NDIA)
DOHA, Qatar (AP) -- The chief overseer of Qatar's new international airport on Monday said the opening of the facility has been delayed because of the need to address new safety requirements.
The statement came just hours before the scheduled inaugural flight from Hamad International Airport in Doha. It gave no details on possible shortcomings in meeting new safety measures set by the Qatari civil defense.
Qatar has undertaken a blanket review of all safety systems in public places since a mall fire last year killed 19 people.
Abdulaziz al-Noaimi, chairman of new airport's steering committee, gave no new timeframe for the airport's opening.
Qatar's new airport is part of wide-ranging construction projects as the wealthy Gulf nation boosts it profile as a hub for international conferences and events, including the 2022 World Cup.
