Bahrain International Airport

BAH originated in 1927, with the first flight being a charter. By 1932 the airport enjoyed its first scheduled flight on a route from London to Delhi via a Handley Page H.P.42 aircraft that carried 24 passengers and necessitated several days of flight to arrive from London (as the plane was traveling at only 100 mph). Nonetheless, this route established BAH as one of the first international airports in the Persian Gulf. The route became a twice-weekly affair in 1936, and BAH enjoyed regular Empire seaplane service the following year. In WWII, BAH was used by US Army Air Forces Air Transport Command Central African Wing, designated as Station #13. It was used as a stopover en route to Abadan Airport, Iran, or to Sharjah Airport in the present-day UAE. Moreover, the airport was a base for the British Royal Air Force from 1943 to December 1971 (when Bahrain gained independence).
During this time, the base was known as RAF Bahrain until 1963 and later as RAF Muharraq. The 1950s were momentous for aviation in Bahrain. BOAC offered service from the airport to Karachi, Singapore, and Hong Kong and thrice-weekly service to Sydney. Furthermore, Gulf Aviation Company (which later became Gulf Air) was formed, initially with only one aircraft (a second-hand Anson Mark II), but within two years featuring four de Havilland and DC-3 aircraft. At the time, BAH was also known as the most modern aircraft in the Persian Gulf, with an air traffic control tower, a quality runway, lighting, communication facilities, and restaurants. This led other airlines to utilize the airport, including Middle East Airlines, Air India, Air Ceylon, and Iran Air. A new passenger terminal opened in December 1961. The British base RAF Muharraq was scaled back in 1970-1971, which led to its ultimate closing. New passenger facilities opened in December 1971, which enabled it, among other things, to accommodate four 747 aircraft.
Furthermore, in 1976 the airport began to service supersonic flights via BA Concordes to London. The airport increased in popularity during the 1980s and 1990s. A new terminal building opened in 1994, allowing the airport to serve up to 10 million passengers annually at $100 million. Airport management changed in 2008, as the Bahrain Airport Company (which falls under the Gulf Air Holding Company, owned by Mumtalakat, Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund) assumed operations. The following year a 30-year expansion plan was unveiled, increasing capacity to 27 million annual passengers. On January 28th, 2021, a new $1.1 billion 210,000-square-meter passenger terminal opened, increasing capacity to 14 million passengers annually (with 130,000 aircraft movements). The new terminal features check-in halls, E-gates, security lanes, a 9,000-square-meter duty-free space, lounges, food zones, and more.

The airport is located on Muharraq Island, five miles northeast of the center of Manama, the capital city. 
 

• The US Navy has an Aviation Support Unit at BAH. 
• BAH offers a variety of lounges. There are two Pearl Lounges (one for Departures and one for Arrivals), a Gulf Air Lounge, and a Lounge for Unaccompanied Minors. Passengers who need to stay overnight can take advantage of the Bahrain Airport Hotel. 
• Some of the FBOs at BAH include Bexair, Hala Bahrain Hospitality, and MENA Technics.