Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, and Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Airport Company , accepted the award. The recognition highlights the collaborative efforts that led to the successful completion of the airport's expansion, a project deemed instrumental in enhancing Bahrain's economic landscape.
The expansion project, with a budget of approximately $1.1 billion, received substantial financial backing from ADFD, contributing around $918 million. This funding was part of the UAE's broader commitment of $2.5 billion to Bahrain under the Gulf Cooperation Council development programme initiated in 2013. The primary objective of the airport expansion was to increase its capacity, accommodating up to 14 million passengers annually, thereby addressing the anticipated growth in air traffic and bolstering Bahrain's position as a regional aviation hub.
The project encompassed the construction of a new passenger terminal spanning 210,000 square metres—four times the size of the previous facility. This expansion included additional landing slots, a dedicated building for private aviation, and enhanced infrastructure to support modern aircraft fleets. The development aimed not only to modernise the airport's infrastructure but also to create numerous employment opportunities, contributing to the socio-economic development of the kingdom.
The Abdlatif Y. Al-Hamad Development Award is conferred upon projects that demonstrate exceptional economic and social development impact in the Arab world. The selection process involves a rigorous evaluation by an independent judging committee, focusing on criteria such as project completion, operational efficiency, and a minimum project cost threshold of $50 million for public sector initiatives. The Bahrain International Airport expansion met these criteria, reflecting its substantial contribution to the region's development.
Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi remarked that the award underscores the successful partnership between ADFD and Bahrain in achieving strategic developmental goals. He emphasised that the project aligns with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, aiming to diversify the economy and enhance infrastructure to support sustainable growth.
The expansion has also been recognised for its commitment to sustainability, achieving Gold Certification from Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design . This certification reflects the project's adherence to environmental standards and energy efficiency, marking a significant milestone in regional infrastructure development.
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Bahrain