Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has initiated the Qatar Aeronautical Academy Development Project, a comprehensive overhaul aimed at establishing a state-of-the-art training complex for the country’s aviation professionals. Located in Ras Bu Abboud, the new facility is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027 and will be designed to meet European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards.
The project seeks to develop a skilled workforce of pilots, air-traffic controllers, and aircraft engineers to support Qatar’s ambitions as a regional aviation hub. The redevelopment centers on three major new buildings: a Flight Operations and Pilot Training Building, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Airport Operations Simulation Building, and an Aircraft Support Services Hangar situated at Doha International Airport.
The ATC simulation facility will cover approximately 1,902 square meters across two floors and will be equipped with advanced simulation and training technologies. Additionally, a 1,000-square-meter Student Activities Building will combine educational and recreational spaces, while roughly 2,200 square meters of student accommodation will be refurbished to increase capacity and improve living conditions.
The Aircraft Support Services Hangar at Doha International Airport will feature a 2,047-square-meter hangar paired with 647 square meters of office space. Constructed with a steel framework on a reinforced-concrete foundation that rises at least eight meters, the hangar will include aircraft storage bays, avionics and maintenance workshops, operations rooms, technical-records facilities, and specialized storage areas. Dedicated training and meeting rooms with advanced ventilation systems will also support maintenance activities.
A comprehensive master plan will guide the redesign of the academy campus to optimize space and facilitate smooth circulation between the various facilities. Infrastructure improvements will align with the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), focusing on enhanced energy and water efficiency, improved indoor environmental quality, the use of environmentally sustainable materials, and smart technologies aimed at reducing the academy’s environmental impact and improving operational efficiency.
Dana Sulaiman al-Hammadi, involved in the project, emphasized that the academy's design adheres to the latest global standards, with particular attention to EASA pilot-qualification requirements, ensuring that training meets rigorous international benchmarks. This initiative reflects Qatar’s commitment to fostering local aviation expertise and reinforcing its position as a center for specialized education and training in the region.