Bahrain: The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, in cooperation with the GCC General Secretariat, have officially launched the "Single Travel Point" air system at Bahrain International Airport. This marks 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. According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Fadhel affirmed that the launch of the first phase of the "Single Travel Point" air project is a result of the relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and its fellow GCC member states. He emphasized 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 exp lained that the project introduces an operational model enabling travelers to complete their procedures in advance in the country of departure. This will accelerate transit processes, reduce waiting times, and facilitate a smooth flow of movement at ports of entry. He noted that this initiative reflects Bahrain's commitment to adopting digital solutions and leveraging technologies to improve operational efficiency and service quality. Maj. Gen. Al-Khaili noted that the Single Travel Point project is among the initiatives reflecting GCC states' commitment to facilitating passenger journeys and providing a safe and seamless travel experience. He highlighted the Authority's efforts to strengthen cooperation and partnerships with strategic partners at local, regional, and global levels through electronic connectivity and the deployment of technologies for data exchange and processing. He added that the project will contribute to increasing tourism and intra-regional trade between the two countries and among GCC states by transforming the airports of both countries into departure hubs that boost tourism and travel and support economic activity. The system covers citizens of both countries, allowing 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 by the Ministers of Interior of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States at their 42nd meeting in Kuwait on November 12, 2025. It will later expand to include GCC citizens and residents in both countries, marking a transformation in completing travel procedures, reducing time and effort, and facilitating movement, particularly during peak periods.
