Trials set to take off at Bahrain’s new airport passenger terminal
TESTS are due to commence soon at Bahrain’s new airport passenger terminal.
The state-of-the-art project is scheduled to be ready by next September.
However, trials of its systems, procedures and overall operations will begin in February, main operator Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) said in a statement yesterday.
The $1.1 billion expansion is being financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development as part of a GCC financial assistance package pledged to Bahrain in 2011.
“I would like to thank all our partners at the airport for their dedicated efforts to prepare for the new passenger terminal building’s operational readiness trials, which represent a major a milestone for the airport modernisation programme,” said BAC chief executive officer Mohammed Al Binfalah.
He made the comment during a keynote presentation at the National Operations Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) Airport Partners workshop.
The event was attended by senior officials from Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA), the Interior Ministry, Gulf Air, Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) and other representatives of the project construction team.
“The importance of these trials cannot be overstated,” added Mr Al Binfalah.
“They are vital to ensure the readiness of all services providers, a smooth transfer process to the new facility and the successful commencement of daily aircraft and passengers operations.
“I am confident that by working together as a team, all expectations for the new terminal will be exceeded.”
Boasting a built-up area of 207,000sqm, the new terminal will include a 4,600sqm departure hall, 104 check-in counters, 36 passport control booths and 24 security screening points.
Support
“The end of this year marks almost 33 months since the start of construction and, thanks to the support and co-operation of our strategic partners, we have achieved a great deal,” said Mr Al Binfalah.
“The next nine months will be very intense and challenging, which demands even greater co-operation, focus and commitment by all the parties involved in the delivery of this national programme.”
Once trials are concluded the GDN has learnt that hundreds of volunteers will be assigned mock roles during an airport drill, to ensure it functions smoothly.
Once completed, the airport will have a capacity of 14 million passengers annually, 130,000 air traffic movements per annum and 4,700 bags baggage handling capacity per hour.
Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/445019
