Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) shiny new multi-million dinar terminal continues to fly high when it comes to the opinion of travellers and industry professionals, writes Stanley Szecowka.
It has been awarded the 2023 global 5-Star airport quality rating for the second consecutive year by SKYTRAX, the international air transport rating organisation.
This follows in the wings of being named:
l World’s Best New Airport at the 2022 World Airport Awards and
l Achieving Level 4 of Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.
The detailed study was conducted by an audit team just a couple of months ago in November.
The 5-Star airport rating is the highest mark of quality distinction. Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: “It is an achievement for Bahrain International Airport to again achieve this highest 5-Star airport rating.
“This top rating accolade recognises the high standards of facilities and staff service provided here at Bahrain International Airport.
“The airport provides an excellent range of facilities and a very pleasant terminal ambience, and the terminal layout makes this a most customer-friendly airport, whether departing, arriving or in transit.”
Delighted Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) chairman Zayed Alzayani said: “Receiving this prestigious accolade for the second consecutive year reflects BIA’s continued commitment to maintaining the highest international standards and delivering an exceptional travel experience.
“I would like to thank our entire airport team for their unwavering professionalism and important contributions towards our continued success.
“The state-of-the-art terminal uses advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, improve security, and meet passengers’ growing expectations for a more seamless airport experience.
“We look forward to working alongside our strategic partners to further enhance BIA’s offerings and support the continued growth of the global aviation sector.”
The airport provides customers with ‘seat power’ across all sections of the terminal, and is meeting best practice for these features, alongside boarding gate and waiting area seating featuring a wide choice of seat types – from conventional bench seating to recliner chairs, sofas and comfortable armchairs.
The terminal design results in a quick-and-easy process for departing, arriving and transfer customers, and is described as being ‘very user-friendly’ in terms of layout and design.
The terminal enjoys excellent natural light, and departing customers enjoy excellent views out across the airfield.
Design finishes, ceiling styles, lighting and some special artwork features all contribute to a relaxing ambience in the terminal, auditors acknowledged.
Smart security is in operation, enabling laptops, liquids, etc., to remain in the customer’s hand luggage for screening, all contributing to an easier travel process. The airport offers an excellent choice of shopping and food and beverage options too.
BAC chief executive Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah said it is ‘an honour’ to receive this recognition for the second year in a row.
“This milestone achievement would not be possible without the dedication of our Customer Experience team, who played a crucial role co-ordinating different initiatives to elevate passengers’ journeys, and the valued support of our partners at the airport in maintaining the quality of our services,” he explained.
“Since the launch of the new terminal, we have built a long list of accomplishments that demonstrate our ability to stand confidently alongside the world’s leading airports.
“We were named as the World’s Best New Airport at the 2022 World Airport Awards and recently achieved Level 4 of ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, further bolstering our quality and environmental credentials.”
The state-of-the-art, futuristic $1.1 billion terminal building was designed to deliver comfort and connections with a ‘more personal, Bahraini feel’, its designers said.
Bahrain Airport Company has been managing and operating the airport since 2010.
The airport caters to a growing number of airlines and serves as the regional hub for global cargo companies, including DHL, which has made Bahrain as their base to serve the Middle East since the 1980s.
Operations were transferred to the terminal complex in Muharraq in January 2021, increasing the airport capacity to 14 million passengers per year.
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