Pilgrims Squat All Around as Airport Chaos Continues

Jeddah: Chaotic conditions at the North Terminal of King Abdul Aziz International Airport which began with the rush of Eid holiday travelers and returning Umrah passengers continued yesterday. Passengers continued to find difficulty in gaining entry into the terminal halls for security checks and check-in formalities.
The situation worsened further with the delay of up to several hours in the departure of many flights.
The scene at the airport was one of Umrah pilgrims squatting everywhere with their luggage trolleys and some others, including regular passengers, crowding the area after entering the terminal from the only entry gate.
Airlines, travel agents and Umrah operators yesterday pleaded their helplessness in assisting their passengers at the airport, where passengers have been completing each level of formality after a wait ranging from one to four hours.
Inquiries show that both regular and special (Umrah) flights are departing from the terminal. One other reason for chaotic conditions is that the terminal renovation, which started 10 months ago, is under way.
Many pilgrims have blocked the terminal with their baggage trolleys thus obstructing a smooth passage for other travelers.
Inside the terminal, passengers were squatting on the floor with luggage trolleys expecting their airline check-in counters to open. “I have waited here for four hours for my 2.20 p.m. Mumbai Air-India flight, but am now told that the flight has been delayed by more than three hours,” an Indian passenger said.
22/10/07 K.S. Ramkumar & Hasan Hatrash/ Arab News

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Categories: Airports Oct 2007, Foreign Oct 2007