Some of the world’s most widely known pharmacy and food and beverage (F&B) chains will offer their respective products and services at Bahrain International Airport’s new Passenger Terminal Building.
The 10-year agreement for the operation of retail outlets in the Duty Free area will see leading brands offer a wide selection of products ranging from fashion and accessories to travel bags, eyewear, toys, electronics, and jewellery.
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN – A key contract aimed at enhancing the duty free offerings at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) was awarded on the final day of this year’s Bahrain International Airshow, BIA’s operator and managing body, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) announced. In line with the agreements, Bahrain Duty Free Company (BDFC) will invest a range of retail outlets at the Duty Free, located in the Departures area of the new Passenger Terminal Building.
His Excellency the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) Chairman, Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed and BDFC Managing Director Abdullah Buhindi signed the 10-year contract. In attendance were BAC Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, BDFC General Manager, Bassam Al Wardi and other officials from both companies. BAC, represented by Mr Al Binfalah, and BDFC, represented by Mr Al-Wardi, also signed a 15-year concession agreement.
The 10-year agreement for the operation of retail outlets in the Duty Free area will see leading brands offer a wide selection of products ranging from fashion and accessories to travel bags, eyewear, toys, electronics, and jewellery.
HE the Minister said: “We are very pleased to partner with BDFC and look forward to working together in the coming months to improve the duty free shopping experience. By increasing its investment in BIA’s duty free offerings, BDFC is supporting local businesses and helping to ensure that the aviation sector becomes a key driver for growth in commerce and retail. We are confident that passengers travelling through the new terminal will discover a truly transformed shopping experience.”
Mr Buhindi added: "We are delighted to sign these agreements with Bahrain Airport Company, which will enhance the relationship between our companies and improve the duty free offerings at BIA. We are especially proud to sign the agreement for the operation of core Duty Free categories. We believe that our 27 years of expertise in this area will help to ensure travellers at the new Passenger Terminal Building will enjoy a first class duty free experience.”
Gulf Air Group Holding to increase shares in Bahrain Airport Services to 44 per cent
Gulf Air Group Holding increased its ownership in Bahrain Airport Services (BAS), the ground handling services provider at Bahrain International Airport (BIA), to 44 per cent, strengthening the Mumtalakat-owned holding company’s control over a key strategic aviation asset. The cash injection will also allow BAS to become a major regional and possibly international player, offering its ground handling services to airports in other countries. His Excellency the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of Gulf Air Group Holding Eng. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed and BAS Board of Directors Chairman Mohammed Jalal signed the agreement during the second day of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2018. In attendance were the Gulf Air Group Holding Board of Directors and officials from BAS and Bahrain Airport Company (BAC).
The increase is in line with a heads of terms agreement, signed by BAC Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yousif Al-Binfalah and BAS Chief Executive Officer Salman Al-Mahmeed, which will see BAS remain Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) ground handling agent for passengers, luggage, aircraft, and catering services until at least 2034. The agreement is aimed at developing the overall level of service at BIA and ensuring all ground handling operations adhere to international standards.
HE the Minister said: “In line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and efforts to strengthen the aviation sector as a key driver of the Bahrain economy, this purchase allows BAS to play an even more significant role in BIA’s transformation into a world class boutique airport. Consolidating control over Bahrain’s key aviation assets under the umbrella of the Group will improve our ability to implement national strategic plans. For passengers and cargo, it will mean an improvement in the levels of service throughout the airport and a streamlining of procedures.”
“This agreement, in step with the other development projects taking place as part of the $USD 1.1 billion Airport Modernisation Programme, also marks the launch of the Group’s strategy to leverage BAS’s ground handling expertise to expand its business regionally and internationally."
Held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the supervision of BIAS Supreme Organising Committee Chairman and the Personal Representative of His Majesty the King, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, BIAS 2018 runs until 16 November at Sakhir Air Base. It is organised by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and the Royal Bahraini Air Force, in association with Farnborough International.
Also, some of the world’s most widely known pharmacy and food and beverage (F&B) chains will offer their respective products and services at Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) new Passenger Terminal Building, the airport’s operator and managing body, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) announced.
During the second day of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2018, concession contracts were awarded to McDonald’s, the globally recognised quick-service restaurant chain; Starbucks, the largest coffee chain in the world; Crepe Cafe, a unique dining concept specialising in the French delicacy; and Boots, the UK’s largest pharmacy-led health and beauty chain.
Signing the respective five-year agreements alongside BAC Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah were Fakhro Restaurants Company Chairman, Adel Abdullah Fakhro for McDonalds; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Zakariya Hijris for Crepe Cafe; and Al Shaya Group owner, Faisal Al Shaya for both Boots and Starbucks.
Mr Al Binfalah said: “Enhancing the overall airport experience is one of the Airport Modernisation Programme’s most important goals, which is why we have carefully selected a diverse mix of leading F&B brands for the new terminal. In addition, we will offer a wide range of products to meet travellers’ last-minute pharmaceutical and health & beauty needs. The new Passenger Terminal Building will increase BIA’s capacity to 14 million passengers a year, transforming it into a customer-friendly boutique airport on par with the best in the world.”
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
