Travel Alert: Bahrain Flights Open For Business

Bahrain International Airport (BAH/OBBI) is the international airport of Bahrain, located on Muharraq Island, adjacent to the capital Manama. The airport is served by several taxi operators and buses from the Bahrain Public Transport Company (BPTC). The airport has a range of facilities, including lounges, dining and retail services, car rentals, and a duty-free shop. Flights to Bahrain are available from various locations, including Dubai, London, New York, and Washington, D.C. The cost of flights varies, but one-way flights from Dallas (DFW) can be as low as $581.

Bahrain International Airport (BIA)

Bahrain International Airport (IATA: BAH, ICAO: OBBI) is located on Muharraq Island, adjacent to the capital Manama and the city of Muharraq. It is the oldest international airport in the Persian Gulf, established in 1927. The airport is managed by the Bahrain Airport Company and serves as the hub for the national carrier Gulf Air.

The airport offers a range of convenient parking facilities, including a multi-storey car park located adjacent to the new passenger terminal building. Bahrain International Airport also boasts several lounges, such as the Pearl Lounge and the Gulf Air Lounge: Falcon Gold Lounge, as well as the Bahrain Airport Hotel, which offers various accommodation types for transit passengers. The airport provides real-time flight tracking and has major food and retail services, car rentals, and a duty-free shop.

The airport's new $1.1 billion terminal opened on 28 January 2021, increasing the airport's capacity to 14 million passengers and 130,000 air traffic movements per year. The terminal features check-in halls, passport control booths, security lanes, a duty-free retail space, lounges, food and beverage zones, 24 departure gates, and 7,000 new parking spaces.

Bahrain International Airport also has a Cargo Terminal that offers a range of services, including export cargo sales, transhipment, inter-airport trucking, and customs clearance. DHL Aviation has a regional hub at the airport, with 115 weekly flights and 250 vehicles. Other cargo and logistics companies operating at the airport include FedEx, TNT Express, Aramex, and Global Logistical Services (GLS).

COVID-19 travel advice

Before you travel

Before booking your flight to Bahrain, check the latest government advice for both your origin and destination. This will help you stay informed of any travel bans or restrictions.

Face Masks

You must wear a face mask throughout your travel experience, even at screening checkpoints. You may be asked to lower your mask for identification purposes.

Boarding Pass

To avoid cross-contamination, position your boarding pass on the scanner yourself and then hold it up for inspection. Do not hand your pass directly to a TSA agent.

Hand Sanitiser

You can take one container of hand sanitiser, up to 12oz (350ml), in your hand luggage. This will need to be taken out for screening.

Personal Items

Remove personal items such as your wallet, coins and keys from your pockets and place them in your carry-on luggage instead of the bins. This will reduce handling during screening.

Food

Separate any food you're carrying for screening. Place it in a clear plastic bag and then into a bin to reduce the need for a TSA officer to touch and inspect your belongings.

Visa Requirements

A visa is not necessary for American citizens travelling to Bahrain for up to 90 days for business or vacation. All you need is a current passport with at least two blank pages. If you're staying longer than two weeks, you will need a multiple-entry visa.

EVisa

US travellers to Bahrain can obtain an eVisa at Bahrain International Airport. Go directly to the eVisa holders' line to save time. Present your passport and approved eVisa for inspection before entry is granted.

Child Safety

Bahrain's child safety law requires that any child aged 10 or under sit in the rear seat of a vehicle, wearing a seat belt or in a child seat. Car rental agencies at Bahrain International Airport provide child seats or booster seats for a small daily fee.

Pregnancy

Most flights to Bahrain allow pregnant women to travel without restriction up to the seventh month of pregnancy. After this point, most airlines require a travel safety confirmation document from your doctor.

Cheap flights to Bahrain

Flights to Bahrain are currently available from a range of airports, with prices varying depending on the origin airport, the number of stops, and the time of year.

London Airports

Return flights from London Heathrow to Bahrain can be found for as little as £357, with Lufthansa. Flights from London Stansted to Bahrain are also available, with prices starting at £340 for a return flight with Pegasus Airlines. Direct flights from London Heathrow to Bahrain are available with British Airways and Gulf Air, with prices starting at £507 return.

Regional UK Airports

For those travelling from regional UK airports, return flights to Bahrain can be found for as little as £259. Direct flights are also available from Manchester, with prices starting at £363 return.

International Airports

For those travelling from international airports, return flights to Bahrain are available from a range of airlines. Flights from Kuwait City to Manama are available from £66 one-way with Kuwait Airways, while flights from Abu Dhabi to Bahrain are available from £134 return with Etihad Airways. Flights from Cairo to Bahrain are also available, with prices starting at £216 return, again with Etihad Airways.

Tips for Finding Cheap Flights

When searching for cheap flights to Bahrain, it is recommended to book early, as prices tend to increase closer to the departure date. Additionally, travelling on a Tuesday or Monday will usually result in lower fares, while flying on a Saturday will typically be the most expensive option.

By utilising these tips and tricks, travellers can find cheap flights to Bahrain that suit their needs and budget.

The history of Bahrain International Airport

Bahrain International Airport (IATA: BAH, ICAO: OBBI) is the international airport of Bahrain, located on Muharraq Island, adjacent to the capital Manama and the city of Muharraq. It is the oldest international airport in the Persian Gulf, established in 1927.

The origins of the airport date back to 1918, when a Vickers Vimy bomber of the Royal Air Force landed in Bahrain on a survey flight from London to Calcutta. However, the first chartered flight to Bahrain landed in 1927, and the first scheduled commercial airliner, a Handley Page H.P.42 aircraft named Hannibal, arrived in 1932, flying from London to Delhi. This flight carried only 24 passengers and took several days, flying at speeds of 100 miles per hour. Through this regularly scheduled service, Bahrain became established as one of the Persian Gulf's first international airports.

In 1936, the operation of H.P.42 aircraft from London to India via Bahrain was increased to a twice-weekly frequency. The following year, in 1937, the famous Short's Empire seaplanes began regular service, using a stretch of water as their "landing strip". The passenger terminal, known as "Bahrein Marine Airport", was located nearby on dry land, and passengers were ferried to the aircraft.

During World War II, the airport was used by the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command Central African Wing and was designated as Station #13. It served as a stopover en route to Abadan Airport in Iran or Sharjah Airport in present-day UAE on the Karachi-Cairo route. From 1943 until Bahrain's independence in December 1971, the Royal Air Force maintained a military installation at the airfield, known as RAF Bahrain until 1963 and then as RAF Muharraq.

In the 1950s, Bahrain International Airport continued to grow and develop. By this time, it was the most modern and advanced airport in the Persian Gulf, attracting carriers such as Middle East Airlines, Air India, Air Ceylon, and Iran Air. In 1954, a new Flight Information Region was established in Bahrain to cover the navigation of aircraft in transit through Gulf airspace, further enhancing its position as a major airport in the region.

The airport continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years, with new passenger terminals opening in 1961 and 1971, and the inauguration of supersonic flights in 1976, including regular BA Concorde service between London and Bahrain. In 1994, a new US$100 million terminal was inaugurated, boosting the airport's maximum capacity to 9-10 million passengers per year.

The airport has continued to undergo expansion and refurbishment, with a new $1.1 billion terminal opening in January 2021, increasing the airport's capacity to 14 million passengers and 130,000 air traffic movements per year. Bahrain International Airport is well on its way to becoming one of the finest airports in the world.

Facilities at BIA

The Bahrain International Airport (BIA) is a hub for aerospace, trade, logistics, and service-oriented activities. It offers a range of facilities and services to support businesses and travellers.

Express Cargo Village

The Express Cargo Village is an area dedicated to facilitating cargo and logistics operations. It features high-tech infrastructure, including a variety of warehouses to accommodate large cargo operations such as transshipment. The village is divided into three zones (A, B, and C), each designed to promote business operations with dedicated parking spaces, cargo facilities, and more.

Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Zone

The MRO zone is specifically designed for aircraft-related activities. It consists of aircraft housing and maintenance buildings, storage facilities, aircraft parking areas, and other essential infrastructure to support maintenance and repair operations.

Business Setup

BIA provides an attractive environment for businesses with its pro-business policies and strategic location. Companies can benefit from features such as 24/7 banking services, advanced infrastructure, and a tax-free environment. Additionally, the cargo terminal connects Bahrain to numerous international destinations, making it ideal for businesses conducting global operations.

Passenger Amenities

For travellers, BIA offers a clean and spacious terminal with ample food and retail options. Car rental services are available, along with a duty-free shopping experience. The airport also boasts quick and smooth check-in processes, efficient security checks, and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity.

Frequently asked questions