JEDDAH — A number of travelers reportedly missed their flights due to the heavy rush at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah during the spring break. However, the airport's public relations and media director Turki Al-Dhib said Jeddah airport serves national and international travelers all year round. Staff members at the airport are well trained to deal with such crowding, he said. Al-Dhib said that Saudi Airlines and Nas have increased the number of flights this spring break. "This spring break coincided with the Umrah season," he said. Some 607,040 travelers used Jeddah airport during this spring break, according to statistics. The airport received 1,606 national flights and 2,188 international flights. The most popular destinations for Saudis were UAE, Turkey and Egypt, said Al-Dhib. Meanwhile, local visitors to Madinah had to return to their home cities by car or bus as Prince Mohammad International Airport was too crowded. National Tourism Committee member Abdulghani Al-Ansari said 80 percent of hotels and furnished apartments were occupied during the past week. "Madinah is one of the main attractions. Tourism facilities in the city must improve to accommodate the growing number of national and international visitors," said Al-Dhib.
