American-founded German company DHL’s Middle East and North Africa (Mena) business DHL Express has signed a lease extension agreement with Bahrain Airport Co (BAC) for its regional hub within Bahrain International Airport (BAH), where a major modernisation programme is under way, which will see the launch of a new passenger terminal building in Q3 2019.
DHL Express operates a 5.7ha space at BAH, with its operations making up 56% of the airport’s total airfreight operations.
The lease with BAC has been extended for 10 years, and means that DHL will celebrate 50 years of operating in Bahrain during its lease period.
Bahrain has served as DHL’s regional hub for 42 years, and BAC’s chairman and Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, said the lease reflected the company’s confidence in the kingdom’s economy.
“[The lease] is a milestone event that indicates the trust global companies have in the kingdom, enhances [BAH’s] reputation as an important aviation hub, and maintains our logistics connectivity with the rest of the world.
“This, in turn, will support the country’s sustained economic growth in accordance with its Economic Vision 2030.”
The lease extension agreement was signed between BAC’s chief executive officer, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, and DHL Express’s chief executive officer for Mena, Nour Suliman.
Commenting on the agreement, Suliman said Bahrain’s “distinctive geographical position” contributed to DHL’s decision to extend its lease, the kingdom’s state news agency, BNA, reported.
He added: “With the logistics market steadily growing and expanding due to the rise of e-commerce, we too had to expand our business, and with Bahrain’s business-friendly approach and excellent infrastructure, it is well established to accommodate that growth.”
As of April 2019, BAC and its partners had delivered training to 5,000 members of the airport company’s staff for the Q3 2019 launch of the new terminal.
