Momento Restaurant Helipad North

The closure was due to commercial and operational reasons. The helipad was a luxury amenity for the resort, and its closure was likely driven by a combination of factors: insufficient demand for high-cost helicopter services, a shift in business strategy following the resort's change in management and branding, and the high costs associated with maintaining and certifying a private aviation facility. The closure was not the result of an accident, environmental issue, or military conversion.

The physical infrastructure of the helipad—a circular concrete pad with a faded 'H' marking—still exists at the coordinates. However, it is officially closed and no longer certified for aviation use by Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs. The site is unmaintained and is now simply an unused piece of land within the grounds of the Al Areen Palace & Spa.

The helipad's significance was exclusively commercial, serving as a symbol of luxury for the 5-star Banyan Tree Al Areen resort. When active, it handled private, non-scheduled helicopter operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Its primary functions were:
- **VIP Transfers:** Transporting high-net-worth individuals and hotel guests directly to and from Bahrain International Airport (OBBI) or other locations in the region.
- **Aerial Tourism:** Providing guests with exclusive aerial sightseeing tours of southern Bahrain, including the nearby Bahrain International Circuit (F1 track), Al Areen Wildlife Park, and the Sakhir desert landscape.

There are no known or publicly announced plans to reopen or reactivate the Momento Restaurant Helipad North (BH-0018). A reopening would be entirely dependent on a future business decision by the Al Areen Palace & Spa's management to reintroduce helicopter services. This would require substantial investment in refurbishing the facility to meet current safety standards and undergoing a new certification process. Given the niche market and high operational costs, the prospects for reopening are considered very low.