Senior officials of the Transportation Ministry reviewed plans to build a new state-of-the-art international airport in Northern Bahrain, said a report.

The proposed project is based on a presentation by the consultancy firm NACO, which was commissioned to undertake the necessary feasibility study, reported the Gulf Daily News.

Deputy Premier Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa directed the Transportation Ministry to co-ordinate efforts with other ministries in this regard.

He gave these instructions as he chaired the regular meeting of the ministerial commission for services and infrastructure.

The move follows directives from HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, First Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Development Board Chairman.

Two locations will be identified in Northern Bahrain and neighboring areas as alternative options for the planned scheme, the report added.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) said it has taken full control of HOCHTIEF Facility Management Bahrain, its joint venture with the top German construction group, in line with its strategy to boost efficiency of airport’s operations and maintain the quality of facilities.

BAC is the authority responsible for operating and managing Bahrain International Airport as a world-class airport.

BAC’s CEO Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah said that after buying the entire 50% stake in the Hochtief joint venture BAC has now named it as BAC Facilities Management.

Al Binfalah affirmed that the move will not impact the operations of the company and business will run as usual.  Effective from today, the company will commence operations under the new identify.

“This comes in line with BAC plan to improve the Kingdom‘s aviation capabilities; and cater to the growing number of passengers as well as the changing demands of the airport’s stakeholders,” said the top official after signing the acquisition agreement with Hochtief representative Burkhart Zaga.

Since appointed in 2010 by BAC to manage the airport’s facilities, Hochtief Facility Management Bahrain Airport had been providing its’ services at the airport terminal building, apron, fire building, hangers, cargo halls, and administration buildings.

Source: Gulf Daily News