Prime Highlights
- Qatar’s aviation sector recorded strong growth in January 2026, with increases in aircraft movements, passenger traffic, and cargo volumes.
- Qatar Airways’ network expansion, including Airbus A380 operations, contributed to rising travel demand and sector confidence.
Key Facts
- Airports handled 25,379 aircraft movements (+6%) and over 5.065 million passengers (+6.8%) compared with January 2025.
- Cargo volumes grew 11.2% to 211,281 tons, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a regional air cargo hub.
Background
The Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar reported that the country’s aviation sector grew strongly in January 2026. Aircraft movements, passenger numbers, and cargo volumes all rose compared with the same month last year.
Airports handled 25,379 aircraft movements in January 2026, up 6 percent from 23,936 in January last year. Passenger traffic also grew strongly. More than 5.065 million travelers passed through Qatar’s airports in January, marking a 6.8 percent rise from 4.743 million passengers in January 2025.
The biggest jump came from the cargo sector. Air freight and mail traffic increased by 11.2 percent, climbing to 211,281 tons from 190,018 tons last year. The rise highlights Qatar’s growing strength as a regional air cargo hub.
Aviation expert Khamis Abdullah Alkhelaifi said the strong numbers build on the country’s solid performance in 2025. He noted that steady demand for both leisure and business travel helped maintain momentum into the new year.
He also pointed to Qatar Airways’ expansion as a key reason for the growth. The airline increased its network capacity and began operating Airbus A380 aircraft on selected routes from mid-January. This move shows confidence in rising travel demand.
Qatar Airways kept operations running smoothly, maintaining strong on-time performance in 2025 and early 2026.
Cargo volumes grew as global freight demand improved at the end of 2025 and continued into 2026. The January figures show that Qatar’s aviation sector stays strong and continues to improve the country’s economy and global connections.
