Seamless transfer to Bahrain International Airport’s new Passenger Terminal
The transfer of operations to Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) new Passenger Terminal were seamlessly completed yesterday, marking the start of a new chapter in the Kingdom’s rich aviation history. Positioning BIA as the most modern boutique airport in the region, the transfer was in line with the directive of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, whose support and contributions helped to ensure the success of the Airport Modernization Program (AMP), one of the most important national projects in the Kingdom’s history.
Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah said: “This is a proud moment for the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people. BAC and its partners have been working towards this historic moment since 2016, and the smooth transfer of operations reflects the extraordinary teamwork, commitment, and professionalism of everyone involved in this landmark project. Four times larger than the legacy terminal, the new airport increases Bahrain’s connectivity, which will support the Kingdom’s long-term economic and tourism goals and catalyze growth in all economic sectors. Our goals for the new facility are to ensure that it reflects Bahrain’s character and that passengers enjoy a hassle-free travel experience with the highest levels of service. BAC is confident that the new terminal’s boutique design and more personal, Bahraini feel will make it an airport that people will enjoy traveling through.”
BAC Chief Development and Technical Officer, Abdulla Janahi said: “The new Passenger Terminal increases BIA’s capacity to 14 million passengers and 130,000 air traffic movements per year with a handling capacity of 4,700 bags per peak hour. Spanning 210,000 sqm, the new terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to enhance efficiency, improve security, and meet passengers’ growing expectations for a more seamless airport experience. Advancements in automation will streamline some of the most time-consuming processes and procedures, reducing waiting times for passengers and giving them more control over their journeys.”
Mr. Janahi noted that BAC is committed to operating the airport as an environmentally friendly and efficient facility. The new terminal is Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified, making it the largest green building in the Kingdom. A globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement, LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world.
The terminal employs sustainability strategies that reduce energy and water use, improve waste management, and enhance indoor air quality. In addition, sustainable materials and environmental best practices were used to minimize pollution during the construction process.
The terminal’s construction involved 431 sub-contractors and local service providers and took 47 million man-hours. In total, 300,000 cubic meters of concrete, 10,700 tons of steel, 33,000 tons of rebar, and 40,000 square meters of glass facades were used.
To embody the Kingdom’s natural features, including the Dilmun-era burial mounds and the ‘two seas’ that Bahrain is named for, the interior design incorporates the undulations and waves of the sea and sand, with their colors dominating the final touches to create a relaxing atmosphere.
