I tried to argue with the security guard but he told me in clear words that he was only implementing orders. I gave in, took a ticket from the machine, received my guest and paid SR5 when I left. It is also worth noting that all those working at the kiosks are non-Saudis but that is another story. In sum, if you want to receive somebody at the Jeddah airport, then you will have to pay a SR5 parking fee, even if you do not park your car.
I recently searched for the decision regarding the development of Jeddah airport and came across an investigative report written by my colleague, Hamad Al-Ishaiwan, in Al-Watan. The report said the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) gave the SR70 million project to develop the airport’s car parks to the Saudi National Parking Company. It also cited the company’s chairman who said the aim of the new system is to teach drivers discipline and not to empty the pockets of citizens. This made me laugh. I also laughed when I read that the chairman said the Saudi National Parking Company is willing to pay parking fees on behalf of anyone who can prove he is unable to do so. It is on account of this that I feel it is my duty as a writer to advise poorer citizens and foreigners to obtain poverty certificates proving that they are unable to afford SR5 to show to the chairman.
You can quickly drop off and pick up passengers for free at all airports around the world. I believe that the system we have here in Jeddah is punishing people. It is clear that the system is poorly designed and GACA has committed some operational mistakes. Instead of apologizing to people for its poor planning, the airport’s management is imposing a SR5 fee saying they are disorganized when they wait in front of the airport. This is such a lame thing to do.
People crowd in front of the airport because the road leading to the arrival lounge is full of detours. This road should be wide and straight. It could, however, be expanded by reducing the size of the parking lot. It is, however, much easier to put the blame on people and give them lessons on discipline by forcing them to pay SR5 to receive their guests.
People have also learned their lesson and are now parking close to the roundabout before the airport. The problem of congestion has now shifted from in front of the arrival hall to the main roads that lead to the airport. In order to avoid paying SR5, people have also began asking their friends and family to climb to the second floor where the departure lounge is and wait there.
I ask what the role of the traffic police is in organizing traffic outside the airport? I also wonder why this “tax” has been imposed on ordinary citizens and foreigners and not on the wealthy who use the executive lounge?
