National ORAT meeting discusses airport transfer progress

Manama, Oct. 8 (BNA): Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) Chairman, Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohamed chaired the 5th meeting of the National Operations Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) Steering Committee.  The committee was formed to oversee the smooth transition of operations to Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) new Passenger Terminal Building as per Edict (10) for 2017, issued by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister.    In attendance were BAC Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, representatives from Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA), Bahrain Customs, the Ministry of Interior’s Nationality, Passport, and Residence Affairs, and Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide.   The Minister and the committee were briefed on the project’s progress by Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide, which is providing a comprehensive ORAT programme to ensure the operational readiness of the airport’s new infrastructure. Government agencies involved in the project also delivered presentations on the project’s latest developments. HE the Minister stressed the importance of learning from other airport operators in the region that have successfully completed development projects in order to ensure an improved experience for passengers travelling through the new Passenger Terminal Building, which is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2019.     The minister said: "The Airport Modernisaton Programme (AMP) is the biggest infrastructural development in Bahrain and one of the most important national projects in the Kingdom’s history. I am pleased with the steady progress being made by the ORAT National Committee to ensure the smooth transition of operational processes to the new terminal, and with the effectiveness of the ORAT Steering Committee’s periodic meetings."   He added: "Transferring airport operations to the new Passenger Terminal Building is a critical success factor of the Airport Modernisation Programme. The process needs to be carefully managed to ensure the successful commencement of daily operations from day one. The ORAT platform is streamlining the process by coordinating among multiple parties and ensuring all strategic projects are implemented as planned."   He also expressed gratitude towards all government entities and the National Steering Committee for their cooperation that leads to an excessive impact on the flow of performance.