Bahrain Airport
The Bahrain International Airport, with its extensive international connection, has been built in the Northern Gulf area, strategically convenient for travellers to both Saudi Arabia and Iran and classed as the modern gateway to the Northern Gulf. Gulf Air which is based at Bahrain International Airport runs over 375 international flights from here, with many international airlines flying regular services into this airport from 52 other locations. With 6.7 million passengers, not to mention cargo tonnage, Bahrain Airport is growing year to year, with further development probably needed in the foreseeable future. Bahrain Airport is considered a major focal point, housing the Middle East Regional Distribution Centre and providing the centre of activities for the 3 million tonnes that crosses the border into Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Bahrain Airport is also the centre for future regeneration of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Amongst recent renovations to the terminal facilities is a check-in lounge for both first class and for business class passengers, offering confidential immigration and check-in facilities. Within this special lounge building, there is a family room with facilities for children, including electronic video games, and a waiter service. Apart from the Gulf Air lounge is the Dilmum Lounge which caters for passengers travelling with other airlines, and the passenger lounge specifically for Cathay Pacific travellers. Free wi-fi is also available, providing internet access while waiting to board. Arrivals’ facilities have been upgraded at Bahrain Airport, providing shopping malls for both incoming and outgoing travellers. Long-term car parks have also been upgraded, with valet services and undercover parking. A multi-storey car park is also soon to be built.
Bahrain International Airport has been operational since a de Havilland aircraft flown by Imperial Airways flew from Baghdad to Bahrain. Imperial Airways later instated a regular long-haul service to London, flying the Handley Page HP 42 between Basrah and Sharjah, operating twice a week by 1936. A flying boat service gradually took over and this continued until the 1950s, flying to and from Hong Kong, Singapore, Karachi and Sydney. BOAC developed a regular air service using the four-engine Argonauts which carried up to 60 passengers at a time, landing at Muharraq Airport. During 1950, however, Gulf Aviation Company was formed, flying just to Dhahran. This company later became Gulf Air.
A new passenger terminal was constructed in 1961 as Bahrain became to to one of the usual stopover airports on long-haul flights and, in 1971 further facilities were added to enable B747 planes to take advantage of Bahrain Airport. Since then further development and investment has increased Bahrain Airport to become a truly international airport with flights by a number of international airlines using Bahrain as a major stopping off point. With the increase in both air traffic and the size of aircraft over the intervening years, Bahrain International Airport had to make further investments so the airport could take advantage of the supersonic flights which needed much longer runways built. Bahrain International Airport has retained its advantage, being in the forefront of developing infrastructure and increasing passenger facilities, continuing to retain its well-deserved place amongst the world’s great airports.
