What facilities are being offered for umrah pilgrims at Jeddah International airport?

Performing Umrah is no longer time consuming and uncomfortable. Development in the aviation sector has enabled us to reach destinations that were inaccessible by other means. And the progress would be speedier still. It will be carried far beyond that possible by any previous method. And this is because of the unique ability of the aeroplane to overcome any natural barrier. No sooner does his flight touches down on the runway that a passenger is filled with a sense of expectancy. Obviously the next step is the airport. And the traveller is looking forward to a pleasant surprise. What are some of the fundamental requirements of a modern airport? More importantly, what is the review of the airport in question as the default airport for UK Umrah pilgrims? For one thing, an airport must be planned broadly. It must be constructed methodically, with room for further improvement. It must be designed functionally, administered economically. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah combines the best features of a present-day airport complemented by a state-of-the-art infrastructure. This makes it one of the best airports that any 21st century traveller can visualize.

The official name is inspired by the late King Abdulaziz. But it is commonly referred to as Jeddah international airport. This is because it is situated on Madinah Road, only 19 kilometres from Jeddah main city. This means that the airport can be reached in half an hour maximum from your hotel in Jeddah. Despite the fact that there are two other airports larger than this one, its position in the commercial centre of Jeddah makes it the busiest airport in the entire kingdom. The airport, which began its operations in 1981, is known for its tent-like Hajj Terminal which can accommodate 80,000 travellers at the same time. The terminal resembles a Bedouin tent pitched in the desert. There are currently 3 terminals serving the airport. So simultaneous landings and take offs are a common sight. In addition to the Hajj Terminal, there is a South Terminal that exclusively caters to Saudi Arabian Airlines. The North Terminal serves the rest of the airlines.

When classified according to the capacity of operations this airport outperforms many others. The capacity is measured by the number of passengers handled and traffic moved per year. It will be noted that the global standards are not so lenient for larger airports. And yet King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah succeeded in serving more than 30 million passengers in 2015 alone. It is this rapid growth of Umrah flights in Saudi Arabia that demands such a versatile airport on its receiving end.

Entrances and exits are ramped side by side regular staircases where escalators are not installed. This is particularly helpful to the disabled and the elderly. The flow of passengers is controlled by having guards stationed at various points. They are the ones who admit ticket holders into the lounge. At this point the various ticketing and baggage-checking procedures take place, and the passenger will walk a short distance to his waiting lounge. In this way the passengers reach the lounge after saying goodbyes to their families. Here the passengers wait for the time of departure and amuse themselves with refreshments and small talk. Lavatories are easily accessible. Information desks are close by. Constant lighting and proper ventilation in the waiting lounge makes long haul flights bearable. A view of the berthing of the plane can also be provided on screen.

Additional seating space can be provided on request, conveniently in the corners of the area. This airport houses the famous Alfursan VIP Lounge but this executive lounge can only be accessed by gold and silver members or those travelling in higher classes. Meeza VIP Lounges and SkyTeam VIP Lounges are also deluxe quality. But they have their own eligibility criteria. If a departing passenger cannot decide which waiting hall he should take, he will go to the central building first. There he will receive his information and proceed along to the desired airline's waiting lounge. Passengers leave the waiting lounge and head for the terminal. The interconnecting passenger may proceed from one airline unit to another. The terminal is reached by an escalator.

It is one thing to increase the capacity of airfields but another matter entirely to furnish the airport with latest amenities. Wi-Fi, fast-food joints and secured car parking are becoming increasingly important elements in any complex.  King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is furnished with these facilities. In addition to that, there are duty free shops, gift centres, elevators, escalators, and first-aid centres. The crew is actually more involved than ever in light of the increasing flights and optimistic trends. In total there are 9 fire brigades in active service to respond to any emergency. The airport management is also capable of handling any aviation problem that poses a threat, immediate or imminent.

What is more, the Saudi government has made preparations for future expansion of the airport to handle an increasing volume of traffic as well as a great diversity of aircraft types. It may be seen readily that the New King Abdulaziz International Airport will be expected to handle 80 million annual passengers and accommodate more aeroplanes than any other airport on the globe. The need for longer runways to meet the rising demand was long foreseen. Both buildings and runways will be designed so that alterations may be made in the future should increased traffic require it, without any hassle.

Besides a beehive of parking garages and a large mosque, a new terminal is planned to be a part of it to keep up with domestic demands and increased international transfers. Channels will also be designed to handle efficiently the transfer of passengers, baggage, and mail from local schedule traffic to trunk line. It is vital that a modern airport such as this be connected with rail. The Haramain high-speed rail project is planned to be connected with this airport. This will give a new boost to traffic. Added up, these arrangements will allow the General Authority of Civil Aviation to make full use of existing facilities and the staff members already employed, and still create new first-class facilities for growing air passengers. These are all the necessary pillars that support smooth aviation. The futuristic Jeddah airport will surely be the biggest airport on the planet.