Bahrain's Department of Civil Aviation is showcasing its ambitious $700 million Bahrain International Airport (BIA) expansion programme at the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition - the region's leading airport development exhibition this month.
In the spotlight will be plans for BIA's new control tower; taxiway upgrade to emergency runway status; main runway resurfacing; passenger terminal expansion (which includes satellite expansion, additional airbridges and expanded passenger handling facilities); additional aircraft parking stands; multi-storey car park and shopping mall; logistics park; corporate aircraft hangars and cargo terminal expansion. More than $200 million has already been pumped into the BIA upgrade since 1994 with another $400-500 million earmarked for the next five years. One of the next projects to be finished will be an airport hotel, due for completion at the end of this year, and to be operated by Movenpick. Other projects under the microscope will include regional development plans ranging from Dubai International Airport to Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, other UAE emirates and Yemen. The exhibition takes place at the Airport Expo Dubai from June 3-5. The associated Middle East Aviation Journal Conference will take place at Le Meridien Airport Hotel on June 2.