Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport, has announced that its senior executives - Leena A. Faraj (the Vice President of Strategic Implementation and Business Development) and Dana Ismaeel (the Senior Environment and Sustainability Engineer), to key leadership positions within the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Committees.

 

Faraj will serve as the Vice Chair of the ACI Regional Economic Committee (REC), while Ismaeel will be Vice Chair of the ACI Regional Environment Committee (REC) for 2025-2026 period. 

 

Established in 1991, ACI is an organization of airport authorities, informing members of industry practices and airport standards headquartered in Montreal, Canada,. Its 814 members operate 2,110 airports across the globe.

 

Some of its major programmes include safety enhancement and Airport Service Quality Awards (ASQ), based on passenger satisfaction ratings. Other initiatives cover economics, operational security, carbon accreditation, and passenger transportation.

 

The ACI Regional Economic Committee encourages its member airports to improve operational and cost efficiency to moderate the cost of flying, mitigate capacity shortfalls and create sufficient rates of return.

 

On the other hand, the ACI Regional Environment Committee (REC) develops initiatives to reduce environmental impacts while supporting economic and social benefits. It creates tools to help airports calculate their greenhouse gas emissions.

 

On Faraj’s appointment, BAC said her leadership and strategic expertise have continued supporting the company's growth initiatives during challenging times and coordinating its efforts to explore revenue growth strategies.

 

On Ismaeel, BAC said her appointment is special as she becomes the first Middle Eastern representative to take on this role, with potential progression to Chair. 

 

Lauding the key milestone, the Bahraini aviation body said Ismaeel's exceptional contributions at BAC include leading key environmental sustainability initiatives and developing comprehensive strategies for decarbonisation and waste diversion.

 

These appointments reflect BAC’s commitment to fostering leadership and excellence within the aviation industry and are a testament to the exceptional contributions of both Ismaeel and Faraj, it added.

 

A major player in the regional aviation scene, BAC is responsible for developing the Bahrain International Airport's infrastructure, facilities, and commercial offerings, transforming BIA into a leading boutique airport in the Gulf region. 

 

With a focus on innovation, efficiency, and culture, BAC aims to establish it as a best-in-class airport that reflects Bahrain’s unique character and strengthens its role as a financial, cultural, and aviation center in the region. 

 

Since taking over management in 2010, BAC has positioned BIA as the most desirable hub for airlines and passengers.-TradeArabia News Service