Doha / Beijing, September 2025 – Hamad International Airport (DOH), Qatar’s multi-award-winning global hub, has signed a Sister Airport Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), marking a new chapter in aviation diplomacy and connectivity between the Middle East and China.
The agreement, signed at Beijing Daxing’s state-of-the-art terminal, will see MATAR Qatar Company for Airports Management and Operation – and Beijing Capital International Airport Group Co., Ltd. collaborate across passenger and cargo operations, service design, technology integration, and innovation projects.
Boosting Aviation Diplomacy and Global Connectivity
With Doha already connected to nine Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu, the partnership positions Hamad International Airport as a preferred Middle Eastern hub for Chinese travellers. Together, the two airports aim to strengthen global links, support economic growth, and contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative.
Hamad Al Khater, COO of Hamad International Airport, described the partnership as a “milestone in aviation diplomacy,” while Zhang Lin, CEO and President of Beijing Daxing, emphasized the creation of a “golden channel” for airline networks and a “green corridor” for logistics.
Reinforcing Qatar Airways’ Network
The MoU complements Qatar Airways’ expanded codeshare agreement with China Southern Airlines, effective 16 October 2025. The expanded codeshare will include services between Beijing Daxing and Doha, along with onward destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
By late 2025, Qatar Airways and its Chinese partners will offer 64 weekly flights across eight gateways in Greater China, underlining the airline’s pivotal role in enhancing regional and intercontinental connectivity.
The announcement comes as Chinese travel demand continues to rise, with industry initiatives aimed at strengthening inbound readiness. For example, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) recently partnered with Visa to launch SME-focused workshops in Beijing, helping local businesses build stronger digital footprints and provide visitor-friendly payment solutions.
This broader ecosystem, together with the Sister Airport agreement, demonstrates the growing strength of Qatar–China relations in aviation, trade, education, and cultural exchange.
