This is the first overseas operation of marhaba outside the UAE and plans to take this model to many airports worldwide.
marhaba was shortlisted and won the bid to launch the hospitality operations at the Bahrain International Airport by competing many local, regional and international companies.
The formal launch of marhaba services kicked off by a ribbon cutting ceremony at its departure lounge attended by Ismail Ali Albanna, Executive Vice President and the Bahrain Airport Company Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yusuf Al Binfalah also attended by top officials of marhaba, BAC, CAA, Dnata, Police, Immigration, Customs Authorities and marhaba management.
Albanna said marhaba which has a team of 35 people at this stage would expand its operations further by hiring more staff as well taking the total number of lounges to four in near future.
“Meet and greet services at the airport is one of the expertise marhaba enjoys and we want to replicated out Dubai model in Bahrain,” Albanna explained.
Jon Convoy, Divisional Senior Vice President, Airport Services Dnata in the UAE said that the services like marhaba at the airport make the travel comfortable.
“Meet and greet services have become an essential of travel and we are positive about the positive outcome of the marhaba Bahrain,” he added.
marhaba, whose familiar teams of agents have been assisting passengers for over 20 years at Dubai International Airport, recently began operations at BIA after successfully winning the contract to provide a range of meet and greet services and lounge facilities to enhance the passenger experience at Bahrain airport.
marhaba services offered at BIA include a comprehensive range of premium passenger handling services for passengers both arriving and departing; transfer and porter services; assistance with arranging hotel accommodation and visa processing; relaxing and convenient passengers lounges as well as chauffeur services to/from the airport.
“During 20 successful years of marhaba operations we’ve worked hard to establish ourselves as a known and trusted brand. The time is now right to expand outside Dubai and we have chosen to invest in Bahrain to bring the marhaba reliability, quality and efficiency to the visitors and residents of Bahrain,” Albanna said.
The new marhaba services at BIA – whilst operating for just over a month – have already drawn positive feedback from passengers. Currently with 35 staff, the majority of whom are Bahraini nationals, the operation is predicted to grow over the coming months and further recruitment locally in Bahrain is already taking place in readiness.
“Our core objective at Bahrain Airport Company is to advance the contribution of Bahrain International Airport to the economy by enhancing BIA’s status, infrastructure and benefits to all stakeholders, passengers and users of its facilities. That is why we are glad to welcome a new partner that will further the success of our airport,” Mohamad Yusif Al Binfalah, CEO of Bahrain Airport Company, added.
“Bringing an experienced company to operate our meet and greet services will raise our standard of services to an international level,” he said.
Bookings for marhaba services in Bahrain can be made by calling into the airport and visiting the sales counter. From the end of September bookings for Bahrain can also be made online at www.marhabaservices.com