BIA departure fees least in region: Minister

Manama : The departure fees from Bahrain International Airport (BIS) is the least in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Transport and Telecommunication Minister Kamal Ahmed said yesterday.

“The decision setting and regulating airport fees in consideration of civil aviation and departure services remain unchanged except for a charge imposed to retrieve a small part of the cost of the meteorological service provided to companies,” said Kamal.

“The decision does not impact on the individual passengers as it is aimed at the companies and establishments benefiting from Bahrain’s meteorological services,” the minister said

The Ministry of Transportation and Communication has decided to raise the fees on passengers departing through BIA to BD7 from the current BD5, according to a notification published in the gazette. The increased fee will come into effect after 90 days from the date of publication of the notification on December 29. 

“The departure fees becomes BD7 instead of the previous BD5 and BD1 on transit passengers rerouted by aviation companies from other destinations via BIA.  The departure fees at BIA is the least in the region whereas it was increased to almost BD10 per passenger in Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE,” added the minister.

While booking tickets the air passengers will have to pay airport departure tax besides, fuel charge, passenger facility fees along with base fare.