World Cup 2022 Presents Unique Challenges for Business Aviation

Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup 2022 from November 20 to December 18. The location presents some challenges for private aircraft operators and attendees due to logistics and cultural expectations.

All flights arriving in Qatar for the World Cup must go to Hamad International (OTHH) for scheduled airlines or Doha International (OTBD), which will primarily handle business aviation flights. There will be no parking available at either airport, and crews will not have access to hotels – all hotel reservations will require a ticket to the World Cup.

All general aviation flights will require a slot reservation with a deposit with penalties for canceling a slot within 24 hours of the reservation.

Further, all flights arriving in Qatar must carry a flight mechanic and engineer. Crewmembers and passengers are subject to COVID-19 testing requirements.

If you’re conducting operations in Qatar for the World Cup, consider hiring a third-party handling organization to help ensure compliance with requirements.

Getting aviation logistics right is only half the battle. Crew members and passengers flying to Qatar should be aware of the cultural expectations and laws of the country. Qatari laws are based on Sharia, a body of religious law that forms part of the Islamic tradition.

While Qatari citizens generally extend hospitality, they also expect visitors to respect their values. Experts recommend that all visitors to Qatar review the cultural expectations and be diligent about compliance.

This means dressing appropriately, avoiding public displays of affection, and consuming alcohol only in designated locations. People should not be photographed without permission, and government buildings should not be photographed at all.

Qatar also has notoriously strict laws against LGBTQ+ activities, creating challenges for LGBTQ+ players and fans and even causing some gay players to fear for their safety.

Be sure to plan not only for the aviation-related logistics of a trip to Qatar for the World Cup but to be familiar with and ready to comply with the state’s cultural expectations and laws before you take on a trip to the FIFA World Cup 2022.