Bahrain International Airport is to be converted into a commercially managed company. Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa issued directives to adopt legal and administrative procedures to make it part of the Bahrain property holding company Mumtalakat in co-operation with the private sector under the supervision of civil aviation. This follows royal directives to manage government utilities, which concern the Crown Prince. It stated: "All properties and utilities the airport be transferred to the company without jeopardizing the rights and interests of airport workers and in a way that maintains their professional status."

The directive took off with a key meeting as the finance minister and government holding company Mumtalakat chairman Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa met for the first time the newly appointed board of directors of the Bahrain International Airport Company. The new company is chaired by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, who is also the president of Customs, Ports and Freezone Affairs.

They discussed its action plan, including new developments at the airport, during the meeting. Plans include the modernisation of the airport building and attachments and the architectural and artistic development of passenger, freight, maintenance and logistics services to reflect the desired image of the airport, it was revealed after the meeting.

The board thanked Crown Prince and Economic Development Board chairman Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for the attention he ha given to the civil aviation sector, which is vital to the national economy.

Officials at the meeting also thanked Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, who is the supervisor of the Civil Aviation Affairs, in co-operation with the private sector, it was revealed. The move is aimed at enhancing the competitive position of the airport on both regional and international levels.


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