Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf that gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1971. The country has one international airport, Bahrain International Airport, which is the hub for the national carrier, Gulf Air. The airport, which opened in 1927, is the oldest international airport in the Persian Gulf and is located on Muharraq Island, close to the capital, Manama.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of Airports | 1 |
Name of the Airport | Bahrain International Airport |
Location | Muharraq Island |
Year of Establishment | 1927 |
Airlines | Gulf Air, United Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines |
Destinations | Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Sharjah, Delhi, Kannur, Kochi, etc. |
Services | Valet and Limousine Service, Lounges, Hotel, Restaurants, etc. |
What You'll Learn
- Bahrain International Airport is the only airport in the country with scheduled flight traffic
- The airport is located on Muharraq Island, near the capital Manama
- It is the oldest international airport in the Persian Gulf, established in 1927
- The airport is managed by the Bahrain Airport Company
- Gulf Air is the biggest airline at the airport and the national carrier of Bahrain
Bahrain International Airport is the only airport in the country with scheduled flight traffic
The airport is the hub for the national carrier, Gulf Air, which is the only airline of Bahrain. It offers flights to 55 destinations. The biggest airline at the airport, however, is '38', which serves 40 destinations. Bahrain International Airport also serves as a regional hub for DHL Aviation, which operates 115 weekly flights and 250 vehicles as part of its integrated air and land network.
Bahrain International Airport has a rich history, dating back to 1927 when a chartered flight first landed there. It became established as one of the Persian Gulf's first international airports in 1932 when a scheduled commercial airliner from London to Delhi operated by Handley Page H.P.42 aircraft named Hannibal landed in Bahrain. During World War II, the airport was used by the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command Central African Wing, and it was designated as Station #13.
The airport has undergone significant expansion and modernisation over the years, including the addition of new passenger terminals, facilities, and services. In 2021, a new $1.1 billion terminal opened, increasing the airport's capacity to 14 million passengers and 130,000 air traffic movements per year. The new terminal features a wide range of amenities, including check-in halls, passport control booths, lounges, retail spaces, and food and beverage zones.
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The airport is located on Muharraq Island, near the capital Manama
Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf that declared its independence from the United Kingdom in 1971. The country has one international airport, Bahrain International Airport, which is located on Muharraq Island, adjacent to the capital Manama. The airport is easily accessible from Manama via the Airport Avenue roadway and Shaikh Isa Causeway.
Bahrain International Airport is the hub for the national carrier, Gulf Air, and is the oldest international airport in the Persian Gulf, established in 1927. The airport has a rich history, with the first scheduled commercial airliner arriving in 1932, and it played a significant role during World War II. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and renovations, with new terminals and facilities being added to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.
The airport offers a range of services and facilities for travellers, including parking, lounges, restaurants, and a hotel. It also provides convenient transportation options, such as taxis and buses, for those travelling to and from the airport.
Bahrain International Airport is an important gateway to the country, as it is one of the few ways to reach Bahrain, along with the King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia and by boat. The airport's convenient location on Muharraq Island, near Manama, makes it an ideal entry point for visitors and a central hub for Gulf Air's operations.
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It is the oldest international airport in the Persian Gulf, established in 1927
Bahrain is served by one international airport, Bahrain International Airport, which is also the oldest international airport in the Persian Gulf, established in 1927.
The airport is located on Muharraq Island, adjacent to the capital Manama and the city of Muharraq. It is the hub for the national carrier Gulf Air, the only airline of Bahrain.
The origins of the airport date back to 1927 when a chartered flight first landed in Bahrain. In 1932, the first scheduled commercial airliner arrived in Bahrain, operated by a Handley Page H.P.42 aircraft named Hannibal, flying from London to Delhi. This established Bahrain as one of the Persian Gulf's first international airports. The H.P.42 could only carry 24 passengers, and the flight from London took several days, flying at speeds of 100 miles per hour.
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 1971, the Royal Air Force maintained a military installation at the airfield, initially known as RAF Bahrain and later as RAF Muharraq.
Over the years, Bahrain International Airport has undergone significant developments, including the introduction of new passenger terminals, increased flight frequencies, and the establishment of local airlines. It has also attracted international carriers, further establishing its position as a significant aviation hub in the Persian Gulf region.
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The airport is managed by the Bahrain Airport Company
Bahrain International Airport is the only airport in Bahrain with scheduled flight traffic. It is located on Muharraq Island, close to the capital Manama, and serves as the hub for the national carrier Gulf Air. The airport was established in 1927 and is the Persian Gulf's oldest international airport.
The airport has undergone significant expansion and upgrades over the years. In 2021, a new $1.1 billion terminal opened, increasing the airport's capacity to 14 million passengers and 130,000 air traffic movements per year. The new terminal features modern facilities, including check-in halls, security lanes, duty-free retail spaces, lounges, and food and beverage zones.
In addition to passenger services, the Bahrain Airport Company also manages the airport's cargo operations. The airport's Cargo Terminal offers a range of services, including export cargo sales, transhipment, inter-airport trucking, and customs clearance. Bahrain is a regional hub for DHL Aviation, with integrated air and land operations.
The Bahrain Airport Company also oversees joint ventures such as the Bahrain Jet Fuel Company, which manages the kingdom's oil, gas, and petroleum assets related to the aviation industry. The company is currently constructing a fuel farm complex as part of a restructuring of the aviation fuelling sector.
The airport also has exclusive facilities, such as the Awal Private Terminal, which provides specialised services for VIP passengers, government officials, and private aviation clients. This terminal is operated by Hala Bahrain, a subsidiary of the Bahrain Airport Company.
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Gulf Air is the biggest airline at the airport and the national carrier of Bahrain
Bahrain is served by one international airport, Bahrain International Airport, which is located on Muharraq Island, adjacent to the capital Manama and the city of Muharraq. Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, is the biggest airline at the airport.
Gulf Air is headquartered in Muharraq and operates scheduled flights to 61 destinations in 30 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe. The airline was founded in 1950 as Gulf Aviation Company, an air taxi service to Doha and Dhahran from Bahrain, by British pilot and entrepreneur Freddie Bosworth. In 1974, Gulf Aviation became Gulf Air, the flag carrier for Bahrain, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the State of Qatar, and the Sultanate of Oman.
Gulf Air has a long history of serving the Kingdom of Bahrain and is considered one of its most important infrastructure assets, supporting the national economy by connecting the country to the world. The airline has a modern fleet of 28 aircraft, including Airbus A320, Airbus A321, and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner models.
In addition to its flight services, Gulf Air offers various privileges to its passengers, such as the Falcon Flyer loyalty program, access to lounges, complimentary meals and drinks, and online services. The airline also prioritizes safety and security, providing peace of mind to travellers.
Gulf Air has received numerous awards and recognitions over the years, including the John White Award for the Best Airline Magazine in 2014 and The Best Airline in the Middle East in terms of calculating miles in the 2009 World Travel Awards. The airline continues to strive for excellence and play a vital role in Bahrain's aviation industry and national economy.
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Frequently asked questions
There is only one airport in Bahrain, Bahrain International Airport.
Gulf Air is the national carrier and the biggest airline in Bahrain.
Bahrain International Airport is located on Muharraq Island, close to the capital Manama and the city of Muharraq.
The airport was established in 1927 and is the Persian Gulf's oldest international airport.