Bahrain seeks to draw more Asian airlines

[DUBAI] Bahrain Airports Co (BAC) said that it's in talks with Asian airlines as it seeks to attract more services to a hub that's undergoing a US$980 million upgrade aimed at doubling capacity to 13.5 million passengers over five years.

BAC is targeting half a dozen carriers from China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore with "aggressive incentives", chief executive officer Mohamed Yousif Al-Binfalah said on Jan 18 in an interview. The state-owned company expects to boost passenger numbers 6 per cent in 2014 from last year's 7.4 million.

Bahrain is touting for business after losing out to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar in the competition for major hub status after national carrier Gulf Air grew at a slower pace than local rivals, leading to losses that resulted in job and route cuts. Terminal-expansion work at Bahrain International Airport should begin at the end of this year following a tender for construction contracts in the third quarter, Mr Al-Binfalah said.