Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) will invest BHD 4.5 mn (USD 12 mn) to revamp its ground service equipment (GSE) fleet within three years, Bahrain News Agency reports. The new equipment is slated to boost BAS’ operations and sustainability and improve passenger and cargo services at Bahrain International Airport (BIA).

Part of the process is complete: The GSE fleet upgrade is taking place over two phases and the first phase was finalized in 2023, BNA notes. Some 1.4 k pieces of equipment have undergone evaluation and BAS awarded bids for some 220 new ground support equipment, with some already coming into operation and the rest slated for introduction in early 2024. Procured equipment includes a lower deck loader, electric pushback tugs, catering high loaders, conveyor belts, passenger buses, forklifts, golf carts, baggage carts, and dollies.

More to come: The second phase of the equipment revamp will begin in mid-2024 and involve the replacement of an additional 180 pieces of equipment.

A boost for logistics: BAS handles 104k tons of freight per year from a facility spanning 19k square meters. The airport’s export services cater to general cargo, live animals, diplomatic mail and vehicles.

What they said: The investment falls in line with Bahrain International Airport’s vision to become an aviation and logistics hub to reduce global aviation’s carbon footprint, Chairman of Bahrain Airport Services Nabeel Khalid Kanoo said.

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