Work on the final phase of construction of the new Bahrain International Airport passenger terminal has started.
Transportation and Telecommunications Minister and Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) chairman Kamal Ahmed formally inaugurated the second stage of the multi-million dinar project.
It will see the eastern section of the current terminal demolished to make way for the western part of the new facility, which is being built adjacent to it.
In attendance at the recent ceremony were BAC chief executive Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, representatives of the main contractor, Arabtec/TAV, and other officials.
The minister praised the progress made during the first phase and the ‘Team Bahrain’ spirit of everyone involved with the project, noting that the work was completed without disrupting operations at the existing terminal.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining these high standards while working on the remaining sections of the new building.
“As per the agreement with the main contractor, and according to the planned timeline to complete the new passenger terminal, work on the second and final phase will start as soon as the first phase has been completed,” said Mr Ahmed.
“The second phase of the project involves the construction of three gates in the western section of the new terminal, which requires the demolition of the eastern part of the existing airport.”
The delegation toured the new terminal and was briefed on the latest project developments, including the remaining stages of construction.
Following the tour, the minister reiterated that the Airport Modernisation Programme is one of the most important national development projects in the kingdom’s history and underscored the importance of completing the project on schedule and to the highest international standards.
The new 207,000sqm terminal building will include a 4,600sqm departure hall, 104 check-in counters, 36 passport control booths and 24 security screening points.
It is four times the size of the existing terminal and will be able to accommodate 14 million passengers a year.
Other features will include two main hospitality lounges, one run by national carrier Gulf Air and the other by the company.
A hotel, pharmacy and a privately-managed airport clinic are among amenities that will greet travellers at the terminal.
Fuel farm
In a further development yesterday, further details were also outlined about Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) new fuel farm complex. As earlier highlighted in the GDN, it is now 99.35 per cent complete and key systems have been commissioned pending the vendor’s certification for taking over.
In a statement the BAC Jet Fuel Company’s (BJFCO) board of directors emphasised the importance of the on-schedule finalisation of the project, a core component of the Airport Modernisation Programme, while maintaining the highest levels of safety and quality.
Housing three aviation fuel tanks with a capacity of 10,000 cubic metres each, the fuel farm complex covers 77,000sqm, including dedicated operational buildings.
It is equipped with state-of-the-art safety and security features and the latest aviation product handling technologies.
The complex will supply aircraft with fuel through a dedicated hydrant network covering all BIA operational bays.
ghazi@gdn.com.bh
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