BIA modernisation highlighted

Manama, May 5 (BNA): Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed unveiled the completion of final blueprints of the programme for modernization and expansion of Bahrain International Airport (BIA) and the offering of all tenders, which include the initial phase of construction of a new passengers terminal building and naming the contracting company for preparatory construction works. The minister in his press remarks on the side-lines of his patronage of inauguration of the Arab Airports Conference, said that the budget to be invested in BIA over the next four years is an estimated sum of $ 1.1 billion. He expected the appointment of the second preparatory construction contractor next week, and the main construction works tenders by the end of July and the awarding of the project's main contractor by the end of October. More than 15 international companies will participate in the major construction works, he added. The new passengers terminal will accommodate 24 small aircrafts simultaneously in addition to 24 aerial towers, which will be completed by early 2019. Modern IT systems will ensure efficient, speedy procedures completion for the constantly increasing numbers of passengers. This will restore BIA's position as a regional hub for aviation traffic in the region.