Bahrain International Airport wins at Asian Innovation Excellence Awards 2025

A simple yet effective approach improved efficiency, cut costs, and enhanced passenger satisfaction at Bahrain International Airport.

Bahrain International Airport (BIA) won Bahrain Operational Innovation of the Year - Transportation in the Asian Innovation Excellence Awards 2025 for its innovative baggage trolley replenishment system.

The company addressed a long-standing operational challenge: maintaining sufficient trolley availability across different airport areas during fluctuating passenger volumes. Building on the legacy manual approach, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport, introduced a low-cost, colour-coded floor-sticker system that helps teams gauge trolley levels at a glance and replenish promptly, without the need for complex sensors or digital tools, delivering smoother service during peak hours. By glancing at the floor markers, staff can instantly assess trolley availability across key areas, such as the departures curbside and the baggage reclaim. Red indicates that immediate replenishment is required; yellow signals to prepare to replenish soon; green means no action is needed.

This practical initiative significantly enhanced airport efficiency. BAC achieved around 20-30% cost savings by reducing unnecessary trolley purchases and improving staff allocation. Operational efficiency also rose by roughly 30%, as staff could replenish trolleys faster and redirect their efforts to other key tasks. The improved process not only boosted productivity but also delivered a smoother experience for passengers, who now have quicker and more reliable access to trolleys.

What distinguishes this project is its simplicity and scalability. Rather than costly technology, it uses clear visual cues that empower ground teams to take initiative. The straightforward design makes adaptation easy across staff levels and departments. The approach is also highly replicable in sectors that rely on mobile equipment, such as retail, healthcare, and logistics, where cart or trolley usage is common.

Through this initiative, BAC demonstrated that operational innovation need not rely on advanced technology. By adopting a practical and inclusive solution, the company improved resource management, reduced costs, and elevated service quality across the airport. 

The Asian Innovation Excellence Awards honours companies that achieve measurable outcomes and address key challenges through innovation and operational improvement, recognising initiatives that drive meaningful progress across diverse industries in the region.

The Asian Innovation Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review. To view the full list of winners, click here. For more information on the awards programme, you may contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at (+65) 3158 1386 ext 242 or at [email protected].