A COMPREHENSIVE plan of action to attract more visitors through Bahrain International Airport (BIA) has been sought by public representatives.
They are urging authorities to seek a higher target, saying that the airport is capable of handling more than 14 million passengers per year currently being targeted.
Airport area MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi and councillor Abdulqader Al Said believe that the airport can easily welcome more than 20m passengers per year.
In 2022, BIA welcomed 6.9m passengers, a 127.5 per cent jump from 3m in 2021 during the height of the pandemic.
By the end of 2019, before the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, arrivals were pegged at 10m passengers annually.
“Bahrain is in the centre of the region which means it should be a favourable destination for people from all around the world,” said Mr Al Olaiwi.
“Whether it is those in transit or actually planning to stay in the kingdom for a vacation, work or business, the airport should be full on a daily basis,” he added.
“The problem is that the passenger target is set from the Stone Ages, continuing for two decades without the slightest consideration for improvement or development.
“There are efforts by other countries to restore the airline industry back to its former state following the pandemic, and 6.9m passengers using Bahrain airport last year is not impressive.
“We used to brag that we are the best in the Gulf; today, we are surpassed by not just the UAE but also Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman – all eating from the same cake.”
He added that competition was not a bad thing, but failing to impress is.
“Bahrain has the best universities and the best medical centres in the Gulf, it is the home for motorsports, it is rich in heritage and history, and has recreational and entertainment facilities that others wish they have,” said Mr Al Olaiwi.
“Is it being promoted? Clearly not well enough.
“We are fed up with slogans and there has to be a comprehensive plan of action to attract more visitors through the airport, in my opinion.
“The original target of 14m is when it was a smaller world; now the airline industry is back on a boom and we need to raise the bar to at least 20m, which I believe is a more realistic target that the country should look at reaching.”
The GDN reported earlier this month that passengers travelling on Gulf Air and transiting through BIA are now able to leave the terminal and experience the kingdom’s culture and heritage during their layovers.
A joint statement by Gulf Air, Bahrain Airport Company and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority highlighted that a free city tour to explore Bahrain’s landmarks and historical hotspots was being offered to passengers with layovers ranging from five to 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Mr Al Said said the new move was good and would help attract more people to use BIA, but was still short of the 14m target.
“I believe that a list with all attractions should be prepared for transit passengers, updated to include all things that tourists are looking for in Bahrain,” he said.
“BIA is our main image of the country and the more services we provide, the more users are set to arrive.
“I do believe that 14m passengers is low compared to the airport’s capabilities and that target should be revised to much higher.”
He added that the free city tour service should be expanded to other airlines.
“Bahrain is attractive, it is just a matter of knowing what people want, and taking it as a platform for promotion,” Mr Al Said said.
“People don’t want malls, they want to see, feel and experience things that they don’t have the chance to explore in their homelands or countries they have visited or are residing in.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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