Doha hub signs Sister Airport agreement with Beijing Daxing

Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Sister Airport agreement with Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).

The move is expected to help advance co-operation between Qatar–China and expands global air connectivity via Doha.

The agreement, complements Qatar Airways’ partnership with China Southern Airlines and the MoU between the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

Together, these moves highlight aviation’s pivotal role in driving economic growth, cultural exchange, and rising travel demand.

Under the MoU, MATAR, the Qatar Company for Airports Management and Operation, and PKX operator, Beijing Capital International Airport Group Co Ltd will pursue joint projects to enhance both passenger and cargo flows.

Collaboration will focus on operations, technology, service design, and innovation, positioning both airports as leaders in hub excellence.

Hamad Al Khater, chief operating officer at Hamad International Airport, said: “This opportunity affirms Hamad International Airport key role in driving aviation diplomacy, and advancing Qatar’s partnership with China.

By collaborating with Beijing Daxing, one of the world’s most forward-looking airports, we are anticipating the evolving needs of tomorrow’s travellers and shaping the future of global connectivity, with Doha as China’s trusted gateway to the Middle East and beyond.”

Zhang Lin, CEO and president of Beijing Daxing International Airport, noted: “As two important international aviation hubs in the world, Daxing and Hamad have formally established sister airport relations, and will start in-depth cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

“We will work together to create a ‘golden channel’ for airline network, build a ‘green corridor’ for freight logistics, promote the ‘smart innovation’ in operation and management, and continuously enhance the global competitiveness of the two hubs, thus becoming a deepening cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Qatar.”

The Sister Airport agreement builds upon a series of successful initiatives between Qatar and China. Qatar Airways’ strategic partnerships with China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines have expanded connectivity between both nations.

A testament to growing ties between Qatar and China, Qatar Airways recently announced the expansion of its codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines.

Starting October 16, 2025, Qatar Airways will share code on China Southern’s three weekly direct flights between Beijing Daxing and Doha.

Similarly, China Southern will be expanding its ‘CZ’ code on Qatar Airways-operated flights beyond Doha to 15 destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. China Southern will further extend its code to flights between Doha and four major Chinese cities of Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, subject to Chinese government approvals.