The Minister of Transportation & Telecommunications and Gulf Air Group Holding (GFG) Chairman Eng. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed announced an increase in GFG's shareholding in ground handling services provider Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) to 44%. The announcement coincides with the signing of a concession agreement that will see BAS continue its role at Bahrain International Airport's (BIA) new Passenger Terminal Building until 2034. The agreement was signed between HE the Minister and BAS Board of Directors Chairman Mohammed Jalal in the presence of senior officials from GFG, BAS, and Bahrain Airport Company (BAC). It complements a previous heads of terms contract signed by BAC Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yousif Al-Binfalah and BAS Chief Executive Officer Salman Al- Mahmeed during the 2018 Bahrain International Airshow. As per the agreement, BAS will continue to serve as the ground handling services agent at the new terminal, providing cargo services for passengers, baggage, aircraft, cargo, catering, and engineering services until 2034. This agreement, which is aligned with the Airport Modernization Program, is aimed at developing the overall level of service at BIA and ensuring that all ground-handling operations adhere to international standards. It will also see the company make a BD7 million investment in new equipment aimed at improving efficiency and minimising the environmental impact of its operations. The Minister said that the new agreement supports BAC's objectives to improve airport services offered through the new terminal and strengthen the aviation sector in line with the objectives of Vision 2030: "This agreement is a strategic first step aimed at leveraging BAS's ground handling expertise to expand our business regionally and internationally. It will improve the quality and efficiency of services offered to travelers and enhance the travel experience at BIA. It also further improves the integration of services providing provided by different BIA stakeholders, strengthening services across all sections of the airport. Our aim for the new facility is to ease travel procedures, enhance the speed of passenger processing, and provide services that consider the highest standards of quality, customer service, security, and safety." BAS Chairman Mohammed Jalal expressed his appreciation for BAC's continued confidence in BAS and its ability to provide high quality services at BIA, saying: "BAS has extensive experience in providing ground handling services in cooperation with its partners in the aviation sector. We look forward to strengthening our position as a key contributor to the Kingdom's development, supporting the goals of Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030." — SG
