BAC and Dar Al Handasah officials ... at the signing ceremony.
Dar Al Handasah to design expanded BIA
01 July 2011
THE Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) has launched the expansion of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), with the appointment of Dar Al Handasah, a leading global engineering and design practice, as the design consultant.
The expansion project, which is expected to be complete by 2015, will boost capacity by 50 per cent taking it to 13.5 million passengers from the current nine million.
Dar Al Handasah won the competitive tender through the Bahrain Tender Board, over four other bidders, in a process commissioned by BAC. It will lead the BD4.4-million ($11.67 million) design phase, which is expected to take nine months to complete. The practice will also supervise the construction of the extension as part of its contract.
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A blueprint of the remote aircraft apron project ... nearing completion. |
The BIA is a vital component of Bahrain’s economy, with its strategic geographical location in the heart of the Gulf, says Khalid Al Rumaihi, BAC chairman. “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 fulfils 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 expanded airport will increase the airport footprint by an additional 40,000 sq m, including more than 3,000 sq m of new retail facilities. It will also add four to five additional contact gates, nine remote gates and 40 check-in counters, baggage handling and make-up area and an expanded departures immigration hall as well as increased departures security facilities. It will also include additional retail areas at arrivals and departures, dedicated departures holding lounges, additional contact and coaching gates, an expanded arrivals baggage-reclaim area, a multi-storey car park, improved arrivals coach gates, hotels facilities and new offices, airline offices and lounges.
Once started, construction will be carefully planned so as to minimise any disruption to airlines, passengers and all airport users, says Rumaihi.
“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,” he says.
Emphasising the importance of this programme to BAC’s business strategy, BAC CEO, Gordon Dewar says: “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 in Bahrain, UAE and Oman says: “We are delighted to have won this tender for such an important project for BIA and indeed Bahrain. We have a proven track record that spans 55 years of planning, designing and implementing large-scale development and infrastructure projects throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and we will be harnessing that wealth of experience in producing the best design solutions to meet BAC’s needs.”
Dar Al Handasah has built a broad experience in airports and airport facilities covering both land and air side facilities, in addition to providing comprehensive airport developments. These services have ranged from the preparation of complete masterplans and detailed designs to management and supervision of construction of new airports to the extension/rehabilitation of existing ones.
Meanwhile, work on new remote aircraft aprons at the airport that can handle aircraft like Boeing Dreamliners and Airbus A380s is expected to be completed by the end of July (this month), according to Nayef Al Kalali, undersecretary at the Works Ministry. Four of the nine stands have already been completed and handed over, he says.
The project, which forms part of an overall development plan for BIA, aims to develop and enhance the efficiency of airport’s facilities and enhance Bahrain’s ability to compete in the aviation market in line with Bahrain Vision 2030.
The project provides parking stands equipped with multi aircraft ramp system (MARS) which is capable of handling either eight large-body and one small body (a total of nine) airplanes or 17 small-body aircraft, and with a new apron taxiway and two new links to the parallel taxiway. The stands have been designed to accommodate the latest generation of mega carriers.
“These stands will be fitted with the latest advanced technology of ground services equipment (GSE) providing pre-conditioned air, 400 Hz power supply, potable and blue water supplies, and sewage evacuation by vacuum,” says Kalali.
In addition to this project, Kalali says his ministry has been involved in a number of vital projects under this development plan including the construction of the new control tower, upgrading of the parallel taxiway and rehabilitation of the main runway.
BAC, established in 2008, is 100 per cent owned by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company. Its key role is to deliver enhanced and expanded capacity and infrastructure to accommodate future growth. BAC also manages the operations and commercial aspects of the airport.
