Sunday, October 6, 2024 Bahrain International Airport (BAH) is seeking to significantly expand its global connectivity, with plans to increase its reach to 100 destinations over the next four to five years. This strategy is part of Bahrain’s broader vision to establish itself as a key aviation player in the Gulf region despite significant competition from nearby hubs in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In an interview with Aviation Week ahead of Routes World 2024, Bahrain Airport Company CEO Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah outlined the airport’s multifaceted approach to growth, which includes strengthening partnerships with Gulf Air, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority and other key stakeholders.
This collaborative effort is focused on enhancing air connectivity, improving passenger experience and driving economic growth through increased tourism and business travel. “We are more aligned as stakeholders than ever before,” Al Binfalah says. “Our national air connectivity plan aims to reach 100 destinations, and this plan is being executed over four to five years.
“We are targeting major markets in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, and we believe that our coordinated efforts will lead to much better performance in both air traffic movements and passenger traffic.” According to data provided by OAG Schedules Analyser, Bahrain is currently linked nonstop to 62 destinations worldwide, including Guangzhou and Shanghai in China following their introduction.