King Abdulaziz International Airport

King Abdulaziz International Airport is an aviation facility located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It's IATA code is JED. Named after King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the airport is Saudi Arabia's largest air facility.

Related Topics:
Aviation - Jeddah - Saudi Arabia - IATA - King Abdulaziz Al Saud

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Construction for the airport began in 1974. It was finalized in 1980. Finally, on May 31, 1981, the airport opened for services.

Related Topics:
1974 - 1980 - May 31 - 1981

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Because of Jeddah's closeness to Makkah, the airport stands for one feature in particular: The Hajj Terminal is to be used only during the Hajj season, and it caters to Makkah bound passengers only. Airlines that have used the Hajj terminal, apart from those airlines from Islamic countries, include Air France and World Airways, the latter from the United States.

Related Topics:
Makkah - Hajj - Islam - Air France - World Airways - United States

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The north terminal is used by the various international airlines that fly into this airport. The south terminal is reserved for Saudi Arabian Airlines flights only. A substantial part of that airline's international and domestic operations fly from King Abdulaziz International Airport's south terminal.

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The Hajj Terminal, the one used by Muslim pilgrims, is estimated to be, at five million square feet (465,000 m²), the world's largest air terminal. It sits over 100 acres (405,000 m²) of ground area, and it is known for its tent-shaped roof. Terminal 3's roof is not actually a tent, but a white colored fiberglass. This terminal has a mosque, and it can accommodate 80,000 travelers at the same time.

Related Topics:
White - Fiberglass - Mosque

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Writer R.E.G. Davies, who called Riyadh's King Khaled International Airport "The World's Most Beautiful Airport", compared King Abdulaziz International Airport to the latter airport architecture-wise.

Related Topics:
R.E.G. Davies - Riyadh - King Khaled International Airport

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For a long period, Trans World Airlines was the only American airline to offer services to this airport; as of 2005, no major American airline offers services to King Abdulaziz International Airport.

Related Topics:
Trans World Airlines - 2005

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