Sita signs $3.2m deal with Bahrain

Bahrain International Airport has signed a $3.2 million (Dh11.75m) contract with Sita, the global specialist in air transport communication and IT solutions, to launch Sita professional mobile radio for all airlines, as a part of the airport's expansion.

The service, providing voice and data communication through a dedicated wireless network, is in operation for 640 users working for all airlines and ground handlers on the Bahrain airport campus, Sita said yesterday in a statement.

It added that the number of users is expected to grow to more than 800 as the airport expands.

"Sita's ability to provide a mobile radio service meets our needs. We are looking to a second phase, which will provide us with additional features," said Captain Abdul Rahman Al Gaoud, Undersecretary for Civil Aviation Affairs in Bahrain.

Hani El Assaad, Sita Regional Vice-President, Middle East and Turkey, said: "Sita professional mobile radio includes Java-enabled handsets, which support air transport specific applications such as flight dialling."