Director of Bahrain International Airport, Mohammed Tamer Al Kaabi said the number of passengers departing from Bahrain International Airport this summer has dropped between 20% and 25% compared to the same period last year.  The fall in passenger departures is attributed to the impact of the global financial crisis and the swine flu. 

Al Kaabi said the number of people flying into the US, Canada, and Europe has plummeted 50%.  He said “The summer is the peak season for travel outside Bahrain, but there are not enough people traveling and many airports are reporting fewer loads.”  Al Kaabi the swine flu epidemic is the main cause of the fall in passenger numbers.