Bahrain International Airport (BIA) registered a total of 8.47 million passengers in 2012, marking a significant increase of 8.8 per cent over the figures of 2011.

“The healthy year-end figures come with a year full of events at BIA from having the biggest airplane in the world touching at BIA to holding our bi-annual full scale emergency exercise as we maintain a safe and secure airport that hosted F1 drivers and fans, football legends, world leaders, artists and TV stars amongst our increasing traffic,” said Mohamed Al Binfalah, CEO of Bahrain Airport Company.

“We were also honoured to serve our passengers at very challenging seasons which included a short summer with heavy traffic as well as a very successful Pilgrimage season and an exciting F1 traffic amongst others,” he added.

Over the year 2012, BIA’s milestones include welcoming the IAG Cargo’s (British Airways World Cargo) new Boeing 747-800 Freighter (747-8F) jet airliner which touched ground for the very first time in Bahrain during March 2012 then followed by the same aircraft model from Cargoluxe in April.

BIA has also upgraded both its lounge and “Meet & Assist” services through introducing Marhaba Bahrain, an industry leader in the field with over 20 years of experience.

BIA is also considered a national pride being the gateway to the country and was the first summer stop in the morning hit TV show “Hala Bahrain” with a week of live coverage directly from the BIA passengers terminal.

Al Binfalah added: “I would like to thank all the staff of Bahrain Airport Company, the airlines, BIA strategic partners and service providers working 24/7 to make sure that all our passengers are safe and secure throughout their journey.”

“I am truly proud of the great efforts and attitude contributed by everyone working in the airport and look forward towards a successful 2013,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service