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Bahrain International Airport (BIA) is to undergo major expansion boosting its capacity by 50 per cent from the current nine million passengers to 13.5 million.
Dar Al Handasah, one of the largest engineering and design practices in the world, will lead the BD4.4 million design phase of the project.
Expected to take nine months to complete this initial phase, Dar Al Handasah will also supervise the construction of the extension as part of its contract. The expanded airport is expected to be complete by 2015.
“Bahrain International Airport is a vital component of Bahrain’s economy, with its strategic geographical location in the heart of the Gulf,” said Khalid Al Rumaihi, chairman of Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), owned by Mumtalakat, the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund.
“The development will build on this historical position, transforming it into a vibrant platform for travellers and reinforcing the role it plays as a gateway to the world. We must ensure that BIA fulfills the potential and mandate set by Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, connecting our nation to the world and contributing to its socio-economic progress.
“The plans we are initiating for an expanded international airport are essential to Bahrain’s continued development, not only in providing businesses in Bahrain with the access they demand for the future, but also in bolstering the growing aviation and logistics industry in the kingdom. Furthermore, it will provide passengers with an improved experience and increase opportunities for BAC to generate revenue, which can then be reinvested in the airport.”
The expanded airport will increase the airport footprint by an additional 40,000sqm, including more than 3,000sqm of new retail facilities. It will also create four to five additional contact gates, nine remote gates and 40 more check-in counters as well as an enlarged transfer facility amongst several other capacity improvements and value added facilities. Once started, construction will be carefully planned so as to minimise any disruption to airlines, passengers and all airport users.
Dar Al Handasah won the competitive tender through the Bahrain Tender Board, over four other bidders, in a process commissioned by BAC.
BAC CEO Gordon Dewar added: “Appointing Dar Al Handasah is another milestone towards expanding and developing BIA. We are working hard towards fulfilling our vision of running the best airport for Bahrain, whether it means meeting capacity demands, providing excellent levels of professional service or adopting the best techniques and technologies. The completion of this development will go a long way towards meeting these goals and, in turn, boosting our profitability.”
Bassam Shakhshir, director of operations of Dar Al-Handasah Consultants in Bahrain, UAE and Oman said the company was delighted to have won the tender ‘for such an important project’.
