Bahrain International Airport has been ranked second best in the Middle East in an international survey of 8.2 million passengers worldwide. Best Airport for the region is Tel Aviv (1st), Bahrain (2nd) and Muscat (3rd), as per the survey.

The London-based aviation research firm, Skytrax, conducted the survey between August 2007 and May 2008, among passengers from 97 countries.

A newsletter released by Skytrax chief executive for studies and research Edward Plaisted ranked Bahrain second best, beating other major airports in the region.

Skytrax Annual Airport Survey is the largest international customer appraisal assessing quality standards.

Millions of passengers were surveyed to assess more than 40 aspects of customer satisfaction for airport product and service standards at 190 airports around the world.

The criteria included streamlined passengers’ arrival and departure procedures, the ease of catching connecting flights and the cleanliness of restrooms.

The efficiency of security checks, duty free shopping facilities and immigration procedures were also assessment criteria.

Under-secretary for Aviation Affairs Abdulrahman Al Qaoud congratulated His Majesty King Hamad, Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Deputy Premier Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa for the honour.

He also hailed Bahrain International Airport employees for their dedication and unrelenting efforts. ’Bahrain will host the World Aviation Exhibition in 2010, which will further bolster the airport’s role as a major hub in the region,’ he said.-TradeArabia News Service