Strategic project to rename airport taxiways completed

Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), has announced the completion of a key project to rename BIA’s taxiways and links, which is aimed at improving safety and bringing BIA further in line with international standards and best practices.

This marks the first time the taxiways and links have been renamed since being built. The renaming saw the implementation of a more modern alphanumeric system in light of Airports Council International (ACI) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations, which will help pilots to navigate the airfield when taxiing and improve their communication with Air Traffic Control. It will also facilitate BIA’s ongoing development through the Airport Modernisation Programme.

BAC Chief Development and Technical Officer, Abdulla Janahi, said: “BAC consistently sets longterm targets for growth and development, working closely with key international aviation authorities. In early 2016, BAC hosted a team of ACI experts to inspect, evaluate, and assess BIA in terms of regulation compliance, standards, and best practices.

“As a result of the visit, a detailed report identifying areas for improvement alongside recommendations was shared with and accepted by Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA), the Kingdom’s aviation regulator.” Mr Janahi added: “In close co-ordination, a team jointly led by the CAA, Air Traffic Control, BAC Airside Operations, and BAC Facility Management carefully started planning the execution of this project over a year ago.