In implementation of the decision of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Interior of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States at their 42nd meeting, held in the sisterly State of Kuwait on 12 November 2025, approving the first phase of the “Single Travel Point” air system between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, the two brotherly countries, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the GCC, officially launched the service on Tuesday at Bahrain International Airport the first phase of the GCC project.
The launch ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Interior, Lt-General Adel bin Khalifa Al Fadhel, the Director-General of the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili and GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi.
On this occasion, the Deputy Minister of Interior 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 brotherly GCC member states, and underscored the strategic Gulf integration pathway towards building a smart and integrated mobility system that enhances border security and elevates the passenger experience.
He explained that the project establishes an advanced operational model enabling travellers to complete their procedures in advance at 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, the UAE Director-General of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security stated that the Single Travel Point project is one of 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, not only locally but also regionally and globally, through electronic connectivity and the deployment of advanced technologies and applications for data exchange and processing, thereby enhancing customer journeys and improving the quality of life.
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 activities. This, in turn, opens new horizons for economic and developmental cooperation, achieves customs and security integration, enhances the regional and global competitiveness of both airports, and positions them as preferred transit hubs for travellers to the region.
Earlier on Tuesday, the officials were briefed on the procedures of the first phase of the “Single Travel Point” at Bahrain International Airport. The phase covers citizens of both countries and allows completion of all travel procedures at a single point without repeated checks at multiple control points.
The project will later expand to include GCC citizens and residents in both countries, marking a qualitative transformation in the mechanism of completing travel procedures, reducing time and effort, and enhancing smooth movement, particularly during peak periods.
The two sides had previously conducted pilot procedures during December 2025 and January 2026 on Etihad Airways and Gulf Air flights for all nationals of both countries arriving from Bahrain and from Abu Dhabi, as the first phase at the GCC level. This affirms that the bonds of brotherhood and the longstanding historical relations between GCC states remain the solid foundation for joint Gulf action across all areas of cooperation and coordination, within the framework of strategic Gulf integration to build a smart, integrated mobility system.
