01 July 2005

Consultancy bids are currently being evaluated for the first phase of a BD70 million ($186 million) Bahrain International Airport expansion programme and a contract award is expected shortly.

A total of six consultants have submitted bids for the contract for the BD50 million ($133 million) first-phase expansion and the successful bidder is expected to be announced by early August.
The project, which entails extending the terminal to the east, will make Bahrain airport one of the most modern and busiest in the region, according to Transportation Minister Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
The project will include eight new airbridges, 10 aircraft stands, travelators and expansion of the baggage reclaim area. The number of check-in desks will be doubled from 40 to 80, while the immigration counters will be increased from eight to 14.
“The expansion is aimed at meeting the demand of the ever-increasing number of passengers as well as more foreign airlines operating to our airport,” said Shaikh Ali. “In line with our open-sky policy, 5.2 million passengers used the airport last year – one million more than the previous year.”
The first phase is due for completion in 2008, after which work is expected to be launched on the second phase of the terminal expansion programme. This phase will involve the extension of the airport terminal on the west side,  enabling the airport to handle an additional four to five small type (Code C) of aircraft.
In a separate development project to be implemented by the private sector, a new car-park complex – which can take up to 4,000 cars – is also to be built at a cost of BD343 million. To be constructed at the existing public car-park, the five-storey complex covering 40,000 sq m will include an executive business centre, retail and entertainment areas and will be linked to the main passenger terminal.
Meanwhile, work on the airport’s new air traffic control tower – built as part of an overall development plan for the airport’s facilities – is due for completion shortly. The BD2.43 million project entails construction of a 49.5 m air traffic control tower, roads, parking and other services.
The control room seats seven air traffic controllers who will have full view of the airport runway, taxiways and terminal building.  In addition, there is a viewing balcony all around the control room for added visibility. One floor below the control room is a VIP view room. The ground floor of the building consists of a VIP reception and facilities suite.
Work on the project started in June 2003.
Among other developments at the airport, tenders are expected to be announced this month for an estimated BD11 million contract to resurface the main runway to allow the landing of the Airbus A380s. A new lighting system will also be installed to upgrade the airport to Category II level, allowing aircraft to land at a visibility of 300 m.
This work follows the completion of the airport’s new second runway, which was opened last February.  Haji Hassan Group completed the BD8.9 million runway under a 15-month contract. The project was undertaken by the Works and Housing Ministry, with Gibb Limited, Bahrain as the engineer.
The new runway is 2,600 m long and 45m wide and has been built according to the specifications laid down by International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Other projects planned for the airport include new boundary fencing, worth an estimated BD2.7 million, and a BD5 million cargo oasis.
A new BD1 million Dilmun Lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers has also been opened at Bahrain International Airport. The project was implemented by Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) as part of a plan to provide world-class services to premium passengers of various airlines using the airport.
The new lounge, which replaces the Dilmun Lounge in the departure area, is located on the top floor of the airport building, which was earlier occupied by Bahrain Duty Free.
The 600 sq m lounge has 120 seats, two shower rooms and a special area for disabled people. The project has been designed by French-Lebanese architects George Karam Designs, in association with Tony Hutton Associates of Britain.
Work was carried out by local contractors Kontra. The airport restaurant is also undergoing a major facelift.

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