Bahrain International Airport to undergo US$212 million expansion

The project, which entails extending the existing terminal to the east, will make Bahrain airport one of the most modern and busiest in the region, according to Transportation Minister Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

Speaking about the project, Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) Under-Secretary Captain Abdul Rahman Al Gaoud said work would start on the project very soon, and would include additional air bridges and remote aircraft parking. The project will include eight new air-bridges, 10 aircraft stands, travelators and an expansion of the baggage reclaim area. The number of check-in desks will also be doubled from 40 to 80, while the number of immigration counters will be increased from eight to 14. The first phase of the project is due for completion in 2008, after which work is expected to be launched on a second phase, which will involve the extension of the airport terminal towards the west, enabling it to handle an additional four to five small (Code C) type of aircraft.

Meanwhile, in a separate development project to be implemented by the private sector, a new car-park complex - which can take up to 4,000 cars - is also to be built at a cost of BD343 (US$910) million. To be constructed at the existing public car-park, the five-storey complex covering 40,000sqm will include an executive business centre and retail & entertainment areas that will be linked to the main passenger terminal.

Work on the airport's new air traffic control tower - built as part of an overall development plan for the airport's facilities - was also completed in September 2005. The BD2 (US$5.3) million project entailed construction of a 49.5m air traffic control tower, roads, parking and other services. A major 'Runway Resurfacing Project' costing approximately BD5 million (US$13.2 million) is expected to commence in early 2006 as well.