Bahrain Airport Aims for 100 Global Destinations by 2029
Bahrain International Airport (BAH) is pursuing an ambitious plan to expand its global connectivity, targeting 100 destinations over the next four to five years. This initiative is part of Bahrain’s strategy to strengthen its position as a key aviation player in the Gulf, amid strong competition from neighboring hubs in Qatar and the UAE.
Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, CEO of Bahrain Airport Company, shared details of this growth plan in an interview with Aviation Week ahead of Routes World 2024. The airport’s expansion strategy includes strengthening partnerships with Gulf Air, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority, and other stakeholders. The goal is to enhance air connectivity, improve passenger experience, and drive economic growth through increased tourism and business travel.
“We are more aligned as stakeholders than ever before,” Al Binfalah said, explaining that the national air connectivity plan is focusing on major markets in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. BAH is currently connected to 62 global destinations, with new routes recently added to Guangzhou and Shanghai by Gulf Air. The national carrier accounts for 65% of BAH’s departure seats, but new entrants like Pakistan’s Fly Jinnah are diversifying the airline portfolio.
As BAH looks to the future, Routes World 2024 offers an opportunity to attract new airline partners. Al Binfalah emphasized that the airport is preparing solid business cases to engage with airlines and is developing an incentive program that includes marketing support and incentives based on passenger traffic.
In addition to expanding its route network, BAH is enhancing its infrastructure and services. The airport’s new terminal, designed to accommodate 14 million passengers annually, has earned a five-star rating from Skytrax. Cargo operations are also a key part of BAH’s strategy, with the development of the Express Cargo Village already underway, positioning Bahrain as a logistics hub in the region.
BAH aims to differentiate itself by focusing on a customer-friendly experience, balancing growth with seamless passenger services, rather than competing solely on size.
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