BAHRAIN International Air-port plans to start work on a second terminal early next year which will almost double the current capacity of the airport, allowing it to handle 12 million passengers every year, up from 7 million at present.

Conceptual designs for the multi-million-dinar project have already been completed by British firm LDY (Llewelyn Davies Yeang).
Bahrain Airport Company chief executive officer Dr Osama Alali said the new terminal was expected to be ready by 2013.
The first-phase expansion includes construction of a new VIP terminal and an Airport Centre boasting a multi-storey car-park capable of holding 3,000 vehicles, cinemas and shops.
The first phase of the expansion includes construction of a second terminal able to handle five million passengers.
“The first phase work is expected to be completed by 2013. Our long-term plan is to have world-class facilities and handle 28 million passengers by 2038,” Dr Alali said.
Architects are due to be appointed before the year-end to draw up detailed plans for the airport, while the main contractor is expected to be appointed early next year.
Dr Alali said the second terminal building would be constructed opposite the Muharraq headquarters of Bahrain Airport Services. Work on the Airport Centre will also start in the current car-parking area in different phases, he said.
“The centre will include a multi-storey car-park which can take up to 3,000 cars, against the current capacity for only 900 cars. The complex will also have commercial services, retail shops and cinemas,” he said.
The airport expansion, undetaken in co-ordination with Civil Aviation Affairs, is part of Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and will be tailored to suit the country’s specific needs, he said.
Expansion work has already started on the airport’s remote stands and is being carried out by Haji Hassan Group. It will provide stands for 17 small A320s or eight A380s.
“The expansion will ultimately create 110 stands, including 87 with contact gates. Currently, we have only 25 stands, including seven air-bridges,” Dr Alali said.
Dr Alali said Bahrain Duty Free will also undergo a progressive expansion.