Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) is to start providing annual civil aviation security training to all Ministry of Interior (MOI) staff based at the airport, including the new police and customs officers that will be required for the new terminal.
BAC announced the news today following the signing of an agreement with Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA), and it is expected to result in hundreds of MOI employees undergo training each year.
The courses will supplement MOI’s comprehensive training programmes by covering international-level BIA-specific Aviation Security requirements, so that personnel deployed at the airport have the necessary training and skills to identify and respond to threats and risks aimed at civil aviation.
BAC CEO, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, said: “In the spirit of partnership and teamwork, BAC is pleased to enter into this tripartite arrangement with MOI Airport Police, Customs Affairs and Gulf Aviation Academy to support aviation security training at Bahrain International Airport.
“We believe it will achieve the shared objectives of all the parties concerned in elevating the airport’s response to a neverending risk environment and are proud of this partnership as a model example of Team Bahrain working towards achieving a single vision for Bahrain’s new gateway to the world.”
GAA CEO, captain, Dhaffer Al Abbasi, said: “We are honoured by the continued trust from our partners and will work with them to ensure that the highest level of trained personnel will be deployed at the airport.
“We will be providing the latest training programs and methodologies aimed at addressing the ever-evolving safety and security challenges of the aviation industry.”
One of the most ambitious projects in the Kingdom’s history, Bahrain Airport’s new passenger terminal will increase BIA’s capacity to 14 million passengers and 130,000 air traffic movements per year.
It is also expected to act as a catalyst for growth, helping BAC attract a number of new airlines and cargo companies to Bahrain.