Car rental companies operating at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) have been urged to stop parking their fleet vehicles in residential neighbourhoods near the airport – with violators warned of tough legal and municipal action.
The warning comes from Parliament’s services committee vice-chairman and airport area MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi, who accused the firms of breaching an agreement made in November last year to stop the practice, which had sparked tensions between residents and businesses.
“We haven’t even completed a year and those car rental companies are back to their old habits to avoid paying for tickets in official bays,” Mr Al Olaiwi told the GDN.
“They want to save costs on airport ground fees, so instead, they’re filling our neighbourhoods with rental cars. This is wrong. Residents are furious and this practice has to end.
“The firms were given a chance and shown a way forward. If things aren’t cleaned up by the end of this month, I will have no choice, but to request immediate municipal and legal action against violators.”
According to Mr Al Olaiwi, the parking issues have escalated in recent weeks with complaints from residents about blocked driveways, noise, littering and lack of parking availability for their own vehicles.
“Some residents cannot even park near their homes, and others are stuck with blocked entrances and driveways,” he claimed.
“There have also been reports of travellers tossing rubbish from vehicles and creating a mess in the area. This level of disregard is simply unacceptable.”
The issue was resolved last November after Mr Al Olaiwi brokered a compromise with the rental companies and relevant authorities. However, the latest developments suggest that financial motives have prompted some operators to revert to exploiting residential parking spaces.
“Amakin already offers vast parking spaces near the airport,” Mr Al Olaiwi said.
“An annual pricing deal could easily be negotiated for the use of these areas. It’s cheaper than upsetting entire neighbourhoods and facing legal penalties.”
Community members have also called for a review of airport parking fees, arguing that high rates were pushing travellers to seek free alternatives in nearby areas.
“If parking was cheaper and more accessible at the airport, a lot of these problems wouldn’t exist,” said Mr Al Olaiwi. “I agree with that sentiment and will raise it with the relevant authorities. It’s time we made the system work for everyone – not just businesses.”
The matter has again drawn the attention of Muharraq Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman and area councillor Abdulqader Al Sayed, who said the council was co-ordinating with government bodies to curb unauthorised parking.
“We’ve been inundated with complaints from residents living near the airport,” claimed Mr Al Sayed, terming the current situation as ‘unfair and unsustainable’.
“We’re looking into ways to discourage this kind of misuse of public space, especially by private businesses.”
Mr Al Sayed said possible solutions include designating additional long-term parking zones around the airport, implementing a residential parking permit system and issuing fines to violators, including rental car agencies.
“There’s an urgent need to expand affordable, secure long-term parking options for travellers, to take the pressure off surrounding communities,” he explained.
“We also have to ensure enforcement, including issuing fines, impounding vehicles and applying daily penalties for repeat offenders.”
He also stressed the importance of raising awareness among travellers and companies alike.
“We need people to understand that their decisions to park in residential areas have real consequences for residents, especially the elderly, families with children and people with disabilities who rely on close access to their homes,” he said.
Mr Al Sayed called for co-ordinated action among the Muharraq Municipal Council, Parliament, the Works and Interior Ministries, airport authorities, Amakin and the car rental industry to resolve the issue.
“With proper planning, better infrastructure and respect for the law, this crisis can be solved,” he said.
“We’re confident that with firm deadlines, fines and awareness, things will improve – but this is the last warning. Next comes action.”
Residents have echoed these frustrations, calling for urgent reforms and tougher enforcement. They say that airport-related parking has become a daily nightmare, especially during weekends and peak travel periods.
“Travellers from the GCC park their cars here for days,” said an area resident, who wanted to remain anonymous. “We come back from work to find our usual parking spots taken by strangers. It’s gotten so bad that people have started putting cones and chairs in front of their homes to reserve space.”
Another citizen said that the noise from people coming and going at all hours was ‘just the tip of the iceberg’.
“Trash is left behind. People park halfway on the sidewalks, we’ve had enough,” he said.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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