Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf that declared its independence from the United Kingdom in 1971. The country is connected to Saudi Arabia by the 25km-long King Fahd Causeway, but it can also be reached by boat or plane. Bahrain International Airport, located on Muharraq Island, is the only international airport in the country and the hub for the national carrier, Gulf Air. The airport is located a short distance from the capital, Manama, and was established in 1927, making it the Persian Gulf's oldest international airport.

Characteristics of Airports near Bahrain

Bahrain International Airport

History

The airport was established in 1927 when a chartered flight to Bahrain first landed there. However, the first scheduled commercial airliner to arrive in Bahrain was in 1932, when a flight from London to Delhi operated by a Handley Page H.P.42 aircraft landed at the airport. This established Bahrain as one of the Persian Gulf's first international airports.

During World War II, the airport was used by the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command Central African Wing. From 1943 until Bahrain's independence in 1971, the Royal Air Force maintained a military installation at the airfield, known as RAF Bahrain and later as RAF Muharraq.

In 1950, a new local airline, Gulf Aviation Company, was formed, which would later become Gulf Air. By 1950, Bahrain International Airport was the most modern and advanced airport in the Persian Gulf, attracting other carriers such as Middle East Airlines, Air India, Air Ceylon, and Iran Air.

In 1976, the airport inaugurated supersonic flights, including the start-up of regular BA Concorde service between London and Bahrain.

Facilities and Services

The airport is accessible by road from the capital city of Manama through the Airport Avenue roadway and Shaikh Isa Causeway. It is also served by several taxi operators and bus services provided by the Bahrain Public Transport Company (BPTC).

King Fahd International Airport

The airport is named after the former King of Saudi Arabia, Fahd ibn Abdulaziz, under whose reign it was constructed and inaugurated. It was built on a massive scale, with the property being larger than the neighbouring country of Bahrain. The airport features two 4-kilometre-long parallel runways and three terminal buildings: the Passenger Terminal, the Aramco Terminal, and the Royal Terminal. The six-story main terminal building has a total area of 327,000 square metres, with the departure terminal equipped with several customer counters. The airport was the first in Saudi Arabia to adopt duty-free stores and offers a range of facilities for travellers, including restaurants, cafes, car rental services, currency exchange, and lounges for premium passengers.

The airport is accessible via Route 605, connecting the cities of Khobar, Dammam, and Qatif. Various transportation options are available, including taxis, airport shuttles, limousines, and ride-sharing services. With around 9.7 million passengers annually, it is the third-largest airport in the kingdom by passenger volume.

Al-Ahsa Domestic Airport

Al-Ahsa Airport is a relatively small airport compared to other national airports in Saudi Arabia. However, it is a busy airport, serving not only Saudi Airlines domestic flights but also frequent Saudi Aramco flights. This is due to its proximity to the world's richest oil field, the Ghawwar field. Most Saudi Airlines flights depart from Al-Ahsa to Riyadh, with some to Jeddah.

The airport has experienced significant growth in recent years, with revisions completed in April 2024 to accommodate increasing passenger numbers. The airport now features two international halls spanning 2,660 square metres, along with ten gates for domestic and international departures and arrivals. The total area of the project exceeded 58,000 square metres, doubling the airport's capacity to handle up to one million passengers annually.

The top airline brands that operate from Al-Ahsa Airport include Saudi Arabian Air, Qatar Airways, Air Cairo, and Flydubai. The most frequent routes from the airport are to Jeddah, with 62 weekly flights, followed by 32 weekly flights to Riyadh. The first flight from Al-Ahsa to Jeddah departs at 8:05 am, and the last flight from the airport is to Dubai, departing at 11:55 pm.

Lamerd Airport

Unfortunately, I could not find detailed information on the history of Lamerd Airport, its facilities, or its flight destinations. However, given its proximity to other airports and heliports, it may be a smaller airport with a more limited range of facilities and flight options.

Overall, Lamerd Airport serves as a crucial transport hub for the southern region of Iran, providing domestic and international travel options for passengers and cargo.

Persian Gulf Airport

Bahrain International Airport, established in 1927, is the Persian Gulf's oldest international airport. Located on Muharraq Island, it is adjacent to the capital Manama and the city of Muharraq. The airport is managed by the Bahrain Airport Company and serves as the hub for the national carrier, Gulf Air.

The airport's history dates back to 1927 when a chartered flight to Bahrain first landed. 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. With only 24 passenger seats, the flight from London took several days, flying at speeds of 100 miles per hour. Through this regular service, Bahrain became established as one of the Persian Gulf's first international airports.

During World War II, the airport was utilised 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.

Bahrain International Airport has undergone significant expansion and improvements over the years. In 1994, a new terminal was inaugurated, boosting the airport's maximum capacity to 10 million passengers annually. More recently, in 2021, a new $1.1 billion terminal opened, further increasing the airport's capacity to 14 million passengers and 130,000 air traffic movements per year.

The airport provides convenient access to the capital city of Manama through the Airport Avenue roadway and Shaikh Isa Causeway. It is well-connected to various destinations, with several taxi operators and bus services available 24/7.

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