A growing parking headache at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) has prompted municipal councillors and an MP to demand urgent action, amid mounting complaints that motorists are clogging departure lanes and roads outside the terminal to avoid paying parking fees.
The controversy follows unconfirmed claims circulating on social media that the airport’s complimentary stopping period has been reduced from 15 minutes to 10 minutes. While no official confirmation has been issued, the reports have reignited debate over whether the existing grace period is sufficient for modern travel.
Councillors say the real problem extends far beyond the length of the free waiting time, arguing that current arrangements are encouraging unsafe and inconvenient behaviour.
Muharraq Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman and area councillor Abdulqader Al Sayed said families are being unfairly rushed when dropping off loved ones, while those collecting arriving passengers are often forced into difficult situations because of unpredictable delays at immigration and customs.
Mr Al Sayed
“The issue isn’t whether it is 15 minutes or 10 minutes,” he said. “There simply isn’t enough time for people to properly say goodbye to family members before a flight. Likewise, when collecting passengers, nobody knows exactly when they will come out because they may be delayed at immigration or customs.
“As a result, many drivers end up waiting outside the airport or searching for somewhere else to stop. I believe the free waiting period should be increased to 30 minutes to better reflect reality and reduce congestion.”
Arad councillor Ahmed Al Meghawi agreed that the current system has shortcomings, but stressed that irresponsible motorists were making matters worse.
Mr Al Meghawi
“The frustration is caused by misuse,” he said. “Some people behave as though the airport is their own private parking area, blocking spaces and refusing to move.
“However, I also agree with my colleague that 15 minutes is often not enough for genuine travellers and families who are simply trying to say farewell or collect relatives.”
Area MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi warned that some motorists have now resorted to collecting arriving passengers from the departures area to avoid waiting on surrounding roads or paying parking charges.
Mr Al Olaiwi
“It has become a serious issue,” he said. “People are picking up arriving passengers from departures because they don’t want to wait outside the airport or pay the parking fee.
“Whether the claims about the free period being reduced to 10 minutes are true or not is a separate matter. In my view, 15 minutes are generally enough for dropping off or picking someone up if traffic is flowing normally.
“The real problem is illegal parking and motorists who misuse the facilities.”
The airport has long provided a short complimentary period before parking charges apply, with motorists paying BD3 once they exceed the free allowance.
The renewed debate is expected to intensify calls for airport authorities to review traffic management, improve enforcement against illegal parking and examine whether a longer complimentary period could strike a better balance between convenience for families and keeping traffic flowing smoothly around Bahrain’s main aviation gateway.
Official letters were sent yesterday to the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) and Amakin.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))