Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
New routes and frequency possibilities and why these routes would work
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Racing ahead: Bahrain Airport’s growth has been fuelled by several new routes supported by the Kingdom’s development as a leisure and trading destination. 
United Airlines began serving Bahrain from Washington Dulles on 18 April 2010 as reported by anna.aero |
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started 18 April 2010)The first homes are now being occupied at Durrat Al Bahrain - 15 inter-connected reclaimed islands that will extend the catchment by up to 60,000 commercially-important residents and their associated businesses.
Other Major reasons to serve this airport
- In 2008 a total of 8.9 million Passengers travelled through Bahrain international Airport a growth of 21% over 2007.
- Bahrain International Airport has been successively named the second best in the Middle East in an international survey of 8.2 million passengers worldwide conducted by Skytrax. The London-based aviation research firm, Skytrax, conducted the survey between August 2007 and May 2009, among passengers from 97 countries.
- The marketing programmes jointly run with airlines have been recognised in the industry and were awarded the OAG-Routes Best marketing campaign Award for Middle East & CIS region in 2008.
- Centrally located within the GCC with air, road and sea access.
- Over 300 million people within two hours flying time.
- The airport is only 15 minutes away from over 350 banks and financial companies located in downtown Manama, the capital of Bahrain.
- Highest frequency of service to the surrounding region - Gulf countries, Iran, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen and UAE.
- Major base for the US Navy’s 5th Fleet
- Within 60 minutes from the largest Oil and Petrochemicals complex in the Middle East
Many great new route opportunities have been seized in the past year, especially by privately-owned newcomer Bahrain Air. However, a host of un/under-served markets persist with proven demand.
Marketing and other support
- BIA would support any new route to the airport with a three- year incentive scheme to reduce airline start-up costs.
- Discount on airport and handling charges for the first two years of operation.
- PR support: inaugural flights and activities for press, passengers and VIPs, etc
- Marketing support: to fund promotional campaigns.
- Marketing support: special joint promotional campaign with Bahrain Airport Services (Ground handling company), Bahrain Duty Free Shop and BAPCO (fuelling)
- Market information: statistics and market analysis on request.
Good communications means the entire 1.5m population can easily reach the airport within 30 minutes; the 28km King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia then extends the catchment to up to 6m within two hours, all by fast roads. This connectivity will be expanded in 2013 with the opening of the Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge.
Catchment Area
- 30 min catchment area : Population of nearly 1.5 million
- 60 min catchment area : 4 million
- 120 min catchment area : 6 million
Under-served freight opportunities and other economic impact factors
DHL operates extensive air and trucking services with 17 Bahrain-based freighter aircraft. Inter-modal freight is expected to receive a considerable boost from the opening of the new Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Super-port within 5k and the new Hidd industrial free trade zone combining 0% corporation tax with duty free access to GCC markets.
- Proximity to major industrial and oil related activities of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and Northern Gulf.
- Inter-modal (Sea/Air) centre, new Hidd industrial free zone and Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Super-port within 5 Kms.
- DHL operate extensive air and trucking services with 17 Bahrain-based freighter aircraft between Bahrain, Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe and USA.
- Major cargo operators and freight forwarders include British Airways, Lufthansa, Martin air, Air France.
- Freight opportunities: BIA has the following advantages Efficient Airport Operations, excellent connectivity from and to the airport – land, sea, air and a liberalised customs regime.
First class check-in: besides these dedicated premium-fare facilities, overall check-in resources have been doubled along with significant retail improvements - great value luxury shopping is a core attraction at this destination.
Geography
- Local geography:
- BAH is 4km from the city centre of Bahrain.
- BAH is 40km from the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia.
Infrastructure & Operations
- Runways: Single Runway 3,956 metres
- No slot restrictions during off peak hours.
- Operating hours: 24 hours operation
- Terminals: One terminal with a capacity of 10 million, extensively re-modelled in 1994.
- Other relevant infrastructure and operations details: Runway upgraded in 2007 to accommodate A380.
In 2008 traffic grew by 20% to 8.8m - a major indicator of Bahrain's potential and the reason why capacity is being expanded to cope with an expected 22m by 2020.
Important infrastructure developments and/or other news
- Future plans include a major US$350m expansion of the terminal building to the east to provide eight additional air bridges and additional aircraft parking stands raising the airport capacity initially to 15m per annum by 2015 with provision for a second phase expansion increasing capacity to 22m by 2020.
- New check-in desks (doubling the current number), additional shopping facilities as well as an increased baggage make-up (doubling the size of the existing area) and separate baggage reclaim area together with a distinctive new façade are all included in the initial design.
- Plans for a new US $70m multi-storey car park project that would not only provide additional parking but also provide offices and retail areas linked to the main terminal building are also being finalised.
Scooping awards at Routes 2008 (left to right) The Undersecretary Civil Aviation, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Airport Director, Marketing Director, and Assistant Undersecretary.
Vital statistics
- Total Passenger 2008: 8.8m International scheduled (20% growth).
- Freight: 380,000 tonnes (6% growth)
- Largest carrier: Gulf Air
- Airport Statistics: http://www.caa.gov.bh/statistics_2008.htm
