1932
The history of aviation fuelling in Bahrain dates back to 1932, when the first Imperial Airways aircraft landed at Manama on an unprepared surface.

This piston engine aircraft, which was probably the first to land in the Gulf, was fuelled with motor gasoline. In that same year, Imperial Airways obtained a lease from the Ruler of Bahrain to develop a landing strip at Muharraq.
1943
In 1943, a small depot was leased from Bapco and bulk supplies from Abadan started. This depot was located near the Muharraq Club and has since been removed.
In that same year, the method of transporting fuel was improved by use of fuel abroad barges to Bapco’s Sitra terminal, where the product was stored and then re-shipped via barges to an aviation depot at the Marine Depot in Manama.
1949
It is believed that the first aircraft fueled in Bahrain with Aviation Turbine Fuel, was in 1949.
1952
By early 1952, aircraft fuelling with Aviation Gasoline had become a regular demand. Later in 1952, scheduled deliveries of Aviation Turbine Fuel started.
1956
In 1956, two tanks were built in the aviation fuel depot at the airport; one for Aviation Gasoline and the other for Aviation Turbine Fuel. In addition, two road tankers were commissioned to transport Aviation Turbine Fuel from Sitra terminal to the airport fuel depot.
1971
In 1971, the storage depot at Arad and the hydrant system at the airport were built. All products were, thereafter, transferred through the pipeline to the airport.
1976
The Concorde, the world’s first scheduled supersonic flight landed in Bahrain on January 21, 1976. In keeping with the new supersonic era, Bahrain was selected as one of the main airports to develop and test new fuelling procedures.
1977-1978
The first direct link between the source of fuel supply (Sitra terminal) and the Arad depot was achieved during 1978. Construction of the Sitra / Arad pipeline started in 1977 and was completed during August 1978.
1984
With effect from 1984, Banoco, on behalf of the Bahrain Government, started participating in the aviation sales market. Later in 1984, the fuelling operation at the airport was relocated at the request of the Civil Aviation Authorities.
The operation and maintenance section were now accommodated on one site, northwest of the terminal building.
1985
On May 16, 1985, The Bahrain Aviation Fuelling Company BSC (Closed) was formed to replace the old Joint Hydrant Operation and a Technical Service Agreement was entered into with Air BP.
During October 1985, Bafco took over the Sitra/Arad pipeline supply system, Arad Depot storage and the hydrant operation at the airport.
1994
In 1994, Bafco embarked on a programme aimed at achieving ISO 9002 Quality Assurance accreditation.
1995
In March 1995, Bafco moved to their new premises at the Bahrain International Airport. Administration, Operations and Maintenance functions are accommodated at one site, for greater efficiency and productivity.
1997
On April 16, 1997, Bafco received certification of registration as an ISO 902 company for its aviation fuelling operations.
1999
Bafco was judged to be the Best Third-Party Team in the world where Air BP is represented. A Global Award for Operational Excellence was achieved.
2000
Bafco received the Air BP Operations Excellence Award for “Best Third Party Team” in the Middle-East Asset.
2001
Bafco received the Air BP Operations Excellence Award for “Best Third Party Refuelling Operation” in the Middle-East Asset.
2002
Bafco changed to one-person fuelling operations in line with world’s best practice.
2002/03
Bafco installed a new section of hydrant system for the new executive apron and is also relocating part of the hydrant system to facilitate the construction by the CAA of the new Emergency Runway the airport.
2003
Bafco again received an Air BP Asset award for “Operations Excellence” and, because of this, Bafco went on to receive an Air BP Global Diamond Award for Operational Excellence for the safe and successful completion of the significant operational and hydrant projects mentioned above as well as for many years of ongoing exceptional operational performance. (Note, the Diamond award disqualifies the winner from receiving further global awards for three years).
Bafco successfully undertook its largest-ever single aircraft fuelling.
2004
Bafco received the Air BP Operations Excellence Award for the “Best Third Party Into-Plane Operation” in the Middle-East Asset.
Bafco received the Chevron Texaco “Appreciation Award” for “World Class performance in Operating Excellence and Customer Satisfaction”.
2005
Bafco received the Air BP Operations Excellence Award for “Safety Achievement” in the Middle-East Asset.
2006
Bafco extended the fuel hydrant system across the taxiway and runway to the northern side and undertook a number of diversions of the incoming supply pipeline.
In 2006 Bafco supplied the highest ever fuel volume dispensed in a single day and fuelled the maximum number of fuellings ever in one day. Both were achieved without accident, incident or delay.