New BIA terminal: Trials to begin in Feb

Operational readiness trials of Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) new Passenger Terminal Building will begin in February next year, said Minister Kamal Ahmed. The trials, Kamal Ahmed, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) Chairman said, will continue until September and will test the readiness of the airport’s main systems and ensure that the operators are properly trained.

This was revealed during a meeting of the National Operations Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) Steering Committee. “The trials, which mark a major milestone in the Airport Modernisation Programme, will help to ensure that the new terminal delivers the best passenger experience, adheres to the highest international standards, and can accommodate the increased capacity of 14 million passengers a year when it launches in Q3 2019,” the minister said.

The trial includes travel procedures (check-ins), security screening, customs, and various other operational processes. The trials also involve all airport stakeholders, including airlines, authorised agencies, government agencies, service providers, and suppliers to make sure they understand what is required to ensure a safe and seamless travel experience for airport users.

The Airport Modernisation Programme, the minister said, is now 70 per cent complete, which means “we have made significant progress and are entering a very important stage.”

BAC Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, representatives from Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA), Bahrain Customs, the Ministry of Interior’s Airport Police, Nationality, Passport, and Residence Affairs, BAC, and Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide were present during the meeting. The committee was briefed on the project’s latest developments, including the IT systems being implemented at the new terminal.

They also discussed the incoming baggage screening and handling facilities as well as regulations, procedures, and other technical inspections required for travel.