HE Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, emphasised that the Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, is moving steadily towards consolidating its position as a leading global hub in civil aviation and logistics services, in line with the Civil Aviation Strategy (2026–2027) and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.
HE Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed explained that, as part of ongoing government efforts to develop the civil aviation sector and enhance its contribution to the national economy, all legal and regulatory procedures have been completed for the registration of one of the world’s major air cargo companies, DHL Air Bahrain, to take the Kingdom as its main hub and headquarters for its operational and commercial activities.
The minister noted that this strategic step reflects Bahrain’s advanced position on the global aviation map, and the strong confidence of major international companies in the Kingdom’s regulatory and investment environment, as well as its advanced infrastructure and strategic location that connects regional and international markets with high efficiency and flexibility.
HE Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed added that establishing the company includes granting it a substantive national ownership status and adopting Bahrain as its main regional business hub, which will enhance air transport and cargo capabilities and support the Kingdom’s direction to strengthen its position as a leading regional centre in air cargo and logistics services. He said it also represents a strategic addition to Bahrain’s civil aviation ecosystem alongside Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom, strengthening the diversity of national carriers and institutions, improving operational flexibility, and supporting regional and global supply chains, as well as expanding Bahrain’s air and logistics connectivity.
The minister also said this development opens wider prospects for the designation of national carriers in accordance with air transport service agreements, further enhancing Bahrain’s competitiveness and presence at regional and international levels.
HE Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed said that this development reflects the strength of Bahrain’s investment environment and the success of national policies in empowering the civil aviation sector, supporting sustainable development, and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as an advanced regional and international hub for aviation and logistics services.
For his part, Abdulaziz Busbate, CEO of DHL Express MENA, expressed appreciation for the support and follow-up provided to the civil aviation sector by the Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, commending efforts to develop the regulatory environment and enhance infrastructure readiness.
He added that the company places strong focus on empowering national talent, with Bahrainisation reaching 53%, reflecting its commitment to providing quality employment opportunities for Bahrainis and qualifying them to actively contribute to the air cargo sector and support economic development in the Kingdom. He noted that the company’s fleet includes 10 Boeing 767-300F aircraft and two Boeing 767-800 aircraft, operating flights to 23 countries at a rate of 266 flights per week, and accounting for more than 70% of total air cargo traffic in Bahrain over the past five years.
Last Updated Date: 30-04-2026
