Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) is inviting tenders from leading players in the food and beverages (F&B) sector to set up their branches at the new terminal at Bahrain International Airport (BIA), said a report.

The new passenger terminal is being built as part of the Airport Modernisation Programme (AMP), reported BNA.

The operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport, BAC said the tender will grant a non-exclusive concession to one or more business partners to design, fit-out, finance, develop, operate, maintain, and manage F&B outlets at the new terminal, it stated.

BAC's chief commercial officer Ayman Zainal said: "Airports have grown to become much more than just waiting areas for the next flight. They also serve as important shopping and dining destinations."

"This makes it crucial that all of its components contribute to improving the overall passenger experience, and having a great selection of F&B outlets is a top priority for us to meet the expectations of today’s traveller," he stated.

The $1.1-billion modernisation programme, currently under way at BIA, is one the most strategic projects for Bahrain, which will improve the airport’s status as a key facilitator of growth for the national economy, in line with the objectives of Economic Vision 2030, said the report.

All aspects of the airport’s operations will be improved, resulting in a state-of- the-art airport four times its current size that can cater to 14 million passengers each year, it added.