MANAMA — Bahrain Airport Services, which plays a strategic role in the operations of Bahrain International Airport, announced on Monday a partnership with global technology company SAP to digitally transform Bahrain’s aviation market post-COVID-19.

While COVID-19 has made a major impact on passenger travel, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), predicts the Middle East will see a 4.4 percent growth in passenger journeys over the through 2039. Bahrain’s aviation recovery will be driven by the use of innovative technologies. The global Smart Airports market is set to top $22.6 billion by 2025, according to the firm Report Linker.

In 2019, Bahrain Airport Services handled 8.5 million passengers and 8 million baggage items, served 6.5 million in-flight meals, and managed 125,000 tons of freight. Supporting aviation innovation, Bahrain Airport Services will digitally integrate six lines of business: ground operations, cargo, catering, aircraft engineering, learning and development, and an aircraft engineering training center called BAETC.

“As part of Bahrain Airport Service’s goals for setting standards for high performance in aviation services, we needed full and real-time visibility on our operations and passengers,” said Salman Al- Mahmeed, CEO, Bahrain Airport Services. “Thanks to our digital transformation with SAP, we will seamlessly integrate our operations, talent, and procurement to provide unparalleled ground services and exemplary passenger traveling experiences as passenger travel rebounds.”

Bahrain Airport Services will deploy the SAP S/4HANA real-time business suite, the SuccessFactors human capital management suite for supporting the talent development of more than 3,000 staff, and the SAP Ariba e-procurement and supply chain cloud solutions.

“Our digital transformation with Bahrain Airport Services will see the organization provide a common digital platform for all departments, which can centralize data for enable real-time decision-making, optimize costs, and support Bahraini talent development,” said Hassan Saleh, the newly appointed Managing Director, SAP Bahrain and Iraq. “Overall, Bahrain Airport Services will be able to run with optimum security, reliability, and performance, and making Bahrain’s aviation sector more resilient.” — Bahrain News Agency