Passengers will be allowed to enter Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport only four hours before the scheduled departure of their flights, it was announced on Monday. The airport authority has approved a new mechanism called "Al-Musafireen" after its successful experiment during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays, the Saudi Press Agency reported quoting a statement from the authority. The mechanism has been adopted in the wake of heavy congestion at the airport caused by passengers entering the lounges several hours before their scheduled departure. The authority said the number of passengers in lounges sometimes becomes three times the capacity. However, there will be exemptions for children, the disabled and the elderly. One person can accompany each of such passengers to complete their travel formalities. According to the airport authority, the experimental implementation has proved that the mechanism would help avoid a number of negativities and undesirable practices such as crowding and squatting in the lounges by passengers who arrive hours before their departure time. It will also improve security and operational aspects and prevent the entry of illegal taxis, thefts and pickpocketing on the premises of the airport.
