Bahrain, UAE launch one-stop air travel system

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will officially activate the first phase of a long-planned one-stop air travel system today (February 17), launching  a significant step towards seamless mobility within the GCC.

Chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the weekly meeting of Bahrain's Cabinet welcomed the launch of the streamlined system, which eliminates the need for repeated passport checks and inspection procedures upon arrival.

The initiative implements a decision adopted by GCC Interior Ministers at their 42nd meeting in Kuwait to operationalise a unified one-stop air travel framework among GCC member states. The system is designed to strengthen regional integration, enhance passenger convenience and reduce congestion at airports.

Bahrain and the UAE are the two nations selected to trial the first phase of the project, which aims to improve connectivity and cut down on airport waiting times.

Under the first phase, the system applies to GCC citizens travelling on flights operated by Gulf Air and Etihad Airways between Bahrain International Airport and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.

If successful, the system would be expanded to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, making cross-Gulf travel almost as simple as domestic flights.

In the UAE, the project is implemented by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, while in Bahrain it is implemented by the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and relevant entities in both countries. 

“One-Point Air Travelers” Project enables pre-departure clearance for citizens of both countries travelling by air between the UAE and Bahrain at the point of departure. Through electronic connectivity, biometric verification systems, surveillance technologies, e-gates, and advanced passenger data processing, travellers’ movements are verified and documented before arrival at their final destination, thereby enabling citizens of both countries to complete the entry procedures at their departure airports, reducing congestion, accelerating entry processes, and delivering a more seamless, secure, and comfortable travel experience, said a WAM news agency report.

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director-General of UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, affirmed that the “One-Point Air Travelers” Project represents an innovative initiative reflecting the commitment of GCC countries to facilitating passenger journeys and providing a safe and convenient travel experience. He emphasised the Authority’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and partnerships not only locally but also regionally and internationally through electronic connectivity and the deployment of advanced technologies and data exchange systems, thereby enhancing customer journeys and improving overall quality of life.

He further noted that the project will contribute to increasing tourism and bilateral trade between the two countries, and across the GCC more broadly, by transforming both airports into key departure hubs that stimulate travel, tourism, and economic activity. The initiative also supports customs and security integration, enhances regional and global competitiveness, and positions both airports as preferred transit gateways within the region.