Momento Restaurant Helipad South

The closure was not due to a single event like an accident or military conversion. It was an administrative deactivation resulting from a combination of business and operational factors. The primary reasons include:
1. **Rebranding:** The helipad was named after the 'Momento Restaurant,' which was part of the Banyan Tree Al Areen resort. The resort was later rebranded as Al Areen Palace & Spa by Accor, and its restaurants were changed, making the helipad's name obsolete.
2. **Economic/Operational Shift:** The facility likely fell into disuse or was no longer considered a key service offering by the new management. Maintaining a helipad for aviation use requires compliance and potential certification, which the resort may have chosen not to pursue if demand from guests was low. The 'closure' is therefore a reflection of its removal from active service and aviation charts rather than a physical dismantling.

As of the latest satellite imagery, the physical helipad structure—a circular paved pad with a painted 'H'—remains intact at the specified coordinates within the grounds of the Al Areen Palace & Spa. However, it is considered dormant and is not in active aviation use. The site is part of the resort's private property and may be used for other purposes such as event staging or simply remains unused. The identifier BH-0019 is no longer recognized in official Bahraini Civil Aviation Affairs publications.

The helipad's significance is tied directly to the luxury tourism sector in Bahrain. It was one of two helipads built to serve the exclusive Al Areen Palace & Spa (formerly Banyan Tree Al Areen), a five-star resort known for its private villas and spa. Its primary function was to provide a discreet and rapid mode of transport for high-net-worth individuals, royalty, dignitaries, and other VIP guests. Operations consisted of private charter helicopter flights, likely originating from Bahrain International Airport (OBBI) or other private locations, allowing guests to bypass road traffic and arrive directly at the secluded resort. It symbolized the peak of luxury and exclusivity that the resort aimed to offer during its active period.

There are no known public plans or official announcements regarding the reopening or reactivation of this helipad for aviation services. Since the physical infrastructure still exists and is located on the property of a major luxury resort, a return to service is theoretically possible. However, this would be entirely dependent on the business strategy of the Al Areen Palace & Spa's management. Reactivation would require a clear business case (i.e., renewed demand for helicopter transfers), followed by inspection, maintenance, and potential recertification by the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA). Currently, the prospects for reopening are considered low.