Jeddah: Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport is ready to facilitate the travel of fans participating in the FIFA World Cup football matches to be held in Qatar from November 20 to December 18. Apart from the regular flights, there are daily special services to Qatar. According to the operational plan approved by the Jeddah Aviation Company, special flights for the World Cup have started from November 13. The services will continue till December 23.
Terminal one of the airport is reserved for World Cup fans and the other for daily regular flights. Daily special flights depart from the Hajj and Umrah Terminal Complex. Special buses will be plying to transport passengers to this terminal. A dedicated team has also been assigned at the Hajj and Umrah terminal to provide accurate answers to all queries. Passengers traveling to Qatar are required to carry a digital or printed ‘Haya’ card along with their passport and boarding pass.
Passengers should arrive at the car parking area in front of Gate No. 17 of the Hajj Terminal Complex. It has parking facilities for 3,000 cars. From the car parking area, specially equipped buses will take the passengers to the air-conditioned travel halls of the complex. For this, 18 buses will be in service 24 hours a day.
Regular services of Saudi Airlines, Flynas and Qatar Airways will be available from Terminal 1. Luggage will be allowed as usual on these services. But luggage will not be allowed on the special Saudi Airlines flights that operate daily from the Hajj Complex terminal only for the World Cup football. Only hand baggage is allowed for these passengers. The Jeddah Airport Authority noted that the regular daily flights will enable football fans to reach Doha and return on the same day without staying at hotels, while speeding up travel procedures.
Jeddah Airport also hosts a number of events to excite travelers and football enthusiasts alike. The entrance gates of Terminal One are decorated with the colors of the Saudi national team logo. Apart from this, various games and competitions have been arranged at the airport, including a facility to take selfies with pictures of football players and a prediction competition. The winners will also get prizes including an iPhone.