GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi

MANAMA, Feb 18: The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, in cooperation with the GCC General Secretariat officially launched on Tuesday the “Single Travel Point” air system at Bahrain International Airport, marking the commencement of the first phase of the GCC project. The launch ceremony was attended by Bahrain’s Deputy Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Adel bin Khalifa Al-Fadhel; the Director General of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security Major General Suhail Saeed Al-Khaili and the GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi. Al-Fadhel affirmed that the launch of the first phase of the “Single Travel Point” air project stems from the exemplary relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and its fellow GCC member states. He underscored the strategic pathway toward Gulf integration aimed at establishing a smart and integrated mobility system that enhances border security and elevates the passenger experience.

Lt. General Al-Fadhel said that the project introduces an advanced operational model enabling travelers to complete their procedures in advance in the country of departure, thereby accelerating transit processes, reducing waiting times, and enhancing the smooth flow of movement at ports of entry. He noted that this initiative reflects the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to adopting innovative digital solutions and leveraging the latest technologies to improve operational efficiency and enhance service quality. For his part, Maj. Gen. Al-Khaili noted that the Single Travel Point project is among the innovative initiatives reflecting GCC states’ commitment to facilitating passenger journeys and providing a safe and seamless travel experience.

He highlighted the Authority’s keenness to strengthen cooperation and partnerships with strategic partners at the local, regional, and global levels through electronic connectivity and the deployment of advanced technologies and applications for data exchange and processing. He added that the project will contribute to increasing tourism and intra-regional trade between the two countries in particular, and among GCC states in general, by transforming the airports of both countries into key departure hubs that boost tourism and travel and support economic activity. The system covers citizens of both countries and allows the completion of all travel procedures at a single point without repeated checks at multiple control points. The project is the implementation of a decision taken in the regard by the Ministers of Interior of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States at their 42nd meeting, held in the State of Kuwait on November 12, 2025. It will later expand to include GCC citizens and residents in both countries, marking a qualitative transformation in the mechanism for completing travel procedures, reducing time and effort, and enhancing the smooth flow of movement, particularly during peak periods (KUNA)