JEDDAH, 5 October - Saudi Arabian Airlines' first New York-bound regular flight from Jeddah after the Sept.11 tragedy took off from here early yesterday.
Saudia's aircraft are now required to implement additional security measures laid down by the American Federal Aviation Administration.
The new security measures are related to the check-in time, take-off monitoring, baggage check-in, conveyor lines, parcels and mail, in addition to the inspection of all the other services and equipment related to the aircraft.
All the required measures are being implemented, in coordination with the civil aviation authority's rules, at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
Passengers' names should be identical as they appear on both the passport and the ticket, and each passenger should provide a verifiable telephone number. He should arrive at the airport four hours before departure and his check-in and carry-on baggage should be examined manually in the presence of the passenger. Passengers are also limited to carrying only one carry-on bag into the aircraft.
Saudia operates four weekly flights from the Kingdom to Washington and New York, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
