MANAMA, Bahrain, July 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bahrain International Airport (BIA) will begin a new expansion program that is expected to increase the airport's capacity by 50 percent.

"The plans we are initiating for an expanded international airport are essential to Bahrain's continued development, not only in providing businesses in Bahrain with the access they demand for the future, but also in bolstering the growing aviation and logistics industry in the kingdom," said Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chairman of the Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) in an interview with Arabian Business News.

The entire expansion program is expected to take four years and add 40,000 square meters, five new gates and forty check-in counters, boosting the airport capacity from 9 million to 13.5 million passengers, reports Arabian Business News. The airport which is owned by Mumtalakat, the country's sovereign wealth fund, has awarded engineering consulting firm, Dar Al Handasah, BD 4.4m ($11.6m) to begin the expansion project.

This project – which will help drive business investment and infrastructure development – follows recent investment in housing, water and education following the lifting of the State of National Safety by His Majesty King Hamad.

SOURCE Kingdom of Bahrain