A key component of the coming AirAsia deal will be the introduction of Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), which will establish a 14-bay Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Bahrain International Airport (BIA).
The facility is expected to expand to potentially 40 bays, catering to growing regional demand.
As reported by the GDN during Gateway Gulf, the partnership between Capital A Berhad (AirAsia Group) and the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry is projected to contribute an estimated BD3 billion (equivalent to $8bn) to Bahrain’s economy over the next five years.
The massive expansion is expected to support more than 100,000 jobs across the aviation and services ecosystem, creating specialised roles for the Bahraini workforce and providing a significant boost to the country’s GDP.
Capital A chief executive Tony Fernandes described the partnership a ‘game-changer’, in the earlier announcement, as he revealed plans to operate more than 25 daily flights via Bahrain by 2030.
Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa told the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Bahrain event at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain yesterday that this comes alongside significant expansions by logistics giant DHL, which has grown its fleet in Bahrain from 13 to more than 20 aircraft in the last four years, with average monthly flights rising by 37 per cent to 1,300.
“DHL has decided to expand its operations signing an agreement to establish their biggest MRO facility in the region here at Bahrain International Airport,” the minister added.
Addressing the audience of American and Bahraini business leaders, Dr Shaikh Abdulla emphasised the importance of strengthening connectivity with the United States. While acknowledging the progress made, he stated that ‘more needs to be done’ to establish direct links. “We’re looking forward to enhancing connectivity with an American carrier and a European airline. We should continue our engagement with the aviation industry in the United States to enhance connectivity to and from the region,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the rapid growth of the private aviation sector. He pointed to Valo Aviation, which recently received its local Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and will operate a private hangar at BIA within the next 12 months. Additionally, a letter of intent has been signed with European-based Millennium Jet Management to register aircraft and provide services in the kingdom.
The minister noted that the transportation and telecommunications sectors now contribute 9pc to Bahrain’s GDP, underscoring their pivotal role in the Economic Vision 2030. “Building on Bahrain’s long-standing history of 75 years of aviation, we are developing the aviation ecosystem as a ‘centre for excellence’ around four core principles: Safety, Quality of Service, Speed of Service and Cost Efficiency,” he added.
A panel discussion titled ‘Navigating Bahrain’s Future of Transportation and Telecommunications’ was also held and saw participation from Boeing Qatar managing director Wael Zaoud and APM Terminals Bahrain chief executive and managing director Matthew Luckhurst. The discussion was moderated by AmCham board secretary Zahraa Taher.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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