Bahrain International Airport’s (BAH) under-construction passenger terminal building has made major progress, with operational readiness tests to begin on the new facility in February 2019. State-held aviation operator, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), which is developing the project, said the terminal building’s functions, systems, and procedures will be tested in accordance with its Q3 2019 launch deadline.
The end of 2018 marks almost 33 months since the new terminal building’s construction programme was launched, and BAC chief executive officer, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, said the “next nine months will be very intense and challenging”.
German firm Fraport AG, most notable for its work on Frankfurt Airport, is providing consultancy services for the operational readiness and airport transfer (orat) operation of the new terminal building. The firm’s representatives recently briefed stakeholders on ongoing orat activities, timelines, expectations, and trials for the building.
The new terminal’s information technology systems, commercial charging model, landside transportation, and shuttle services were also discussed during the workshop. Among the meeting’s attendees were officials from Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior, national carrier Gulf Air, Bahrain Airport Services, and BAC, in addition to experts from the project’s construction team.
Commenting during the meeting, Binfalah added: “The importance of [orat] trials cannot be overstated; they are vital to ensure the readiness of all services providers, a smooth transfer process to the new facility and the successful commencement of daily aircraft and passengers operations.
“I am confident that by working together as a team, all expectations for the new terminal will be exceeded,” Binfalah added, according to Bahrain’s state news office, BNA.
BAH’s new terminal covers a built-up area of 20.7ha, and will include a 4,600m² departure hall, 104 check-in counters, 36 passport control booths, and 24 security checkpoints. A central utilities complex, comprising the airport’s emergency system, was announced to have progressed this June. The complex will supply power and water to the new terminal, for which elevator supplier Kone will deliver 45 elevators and escalators.
