Legal mechanisms have been put in place for the first time in Bahrain to govern the relationship between passengers, aviation companies and the management of Bahrain International Airport, a senior government official said.

Transportation Minister and Economic Development Board acting chief executive Kamal Ahmed said that this is an outcome of the issuance of executive regulations for the Civil Aviation Law by Ministerial Decree 21 for last year, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The new regulations, which were issued on December 25 last year and published in The Official Gazette issue 3138 dated January 9, are part of the ministry's strategy to put in place a holistic regulatory and legislative framework for all of its divisions.

The new regulations came into effect last Friday in accordance with the Second Article of the Ministerial Decree.

"This is an important step as this legal document is the executive tool by which Law 14 for last year, which established the new Civil Aviation Law, can be implemented," the minister said.

"The main features of this law are adoption of the highest aviation safety standards and civil aviation security levels, as well as passengers' rights.

"The law is now clear on rights and obligations of passengers in cases of travel prohibitions by denied boarding and delays, loss of belongings, and a focus on services that should be provided to passengers during flight delays," he added.

The executive regulations cover rules and criteria for issuing licences related to aviation activities.

Requirements and processes for verifying applications have been specified in a bid to facilitate transactions for investors.

This will further help the Civil Aviation Affairs to fulfil its role as the industry regulator.

All technical regulations related to aviation, including flying licences, issuance of registration certificates, pilots' and other technical staff licences, aircraft safety, and aviation and meteorology services are covered in the regulation as these are all considered aspects that are critical to the industry as a whole.

"The issuance of this document marks a very positive signal to investors, partners and customers as they have a legal document by which everyone's rights and responsibilities are clear," he said. "This will go a long way in further enhancing the kingdom's aviation industry," he added. – TradeArabia News Service