Business & Finance Club - Bahrain : A new passenger pick-up lane has been opened at the arrivals area of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), it was announced.

Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) created the new lane to run parallel to the taxi and services lanes as well as to operate as a drop-off lane at the departures terminal, the company said.

Passengers arriving at BIA can now be collected from directly outside the arrivals hall, without the need for the car picking them up to park.

'Airport users will be encouraged to use the new lane to save time and money on car-park charges and thus free up considerable car parking space for those using the airport facilities,' said the BIA.

The new lane is already easing congestion in and around the airport, while work on expanding the main car park is now almost complete, it added.

Strategy

The move comes as part of a strategy to deliver enhanced facilities and services for passengers and airport visitors.

'BAC's engineering and maintenance department is working closely with Bahrain Car Park Company to oversee the addition of 150 car-parking spaces to bring the total capacity to 1,050,' it said.

BIA operations director Mohammed Thamir Al Kaabi said with the summer holidays, it was witnessing increased traffic and record passengers.

'To make it easier for passenger pick-up and to have sufficient parking spaces, we felt the pick-up lane and the car park expansion would be an ideal solution,' he said.

'We have also designated parking spaces for drivers with special needs.'

'We are also finalising plans to change the car park structure to cater to passengers who need long-term and short-term parking facilities.'